Objective:To investigate the effects of comparatively high doses of diminazene aceturate on the reproductive performance of female rats in the early stage of pregnancy.Methods:After oestrus synchronisation and success...Objective:To investigate the effects of comparatively high doses of diminazene aceturate on the reproductive performance of female rats in the early stage of pregnancy.Methods:After oestrus synchronisation and successful mating,20 pregnant female rats were randomly divided into four groups(A-D).Group A rats served as the control and were given single intraperitoneal injection of 0.5 mL sterile water(vehicle only) while groups B.C and D rats were given single intraperitoneal doses of 7,14 and 21 mg/kg body weight diminazene aceturate respectively,on day 7 of pregnancy.The gestation length,litter size and weight at birth,and areas of foetal resorption in the uterus were determined post partum.The post-implantation survival index(%) and the gestation index(group%) were also evaluated for rats in all the groups.Results:There was a graded increase in the number of observed resorbed foetuses as the dose of diminazene aceturate was increased,although only groups C(14 mg/kg) and D(21 mg/kg) revealed a significant decrease(P<0.01,ANOVA) in the post implantation survival index of rat embryos.There was also a significant decrease(P<0.05) in the litter weights of rats in groups C and D.Conclusions: Although the pregnant rats showed no overt signs of systemic toxicity even at the highest dose of 21 mg/kg body weight diminazene aceturate in this study,it was concluded that the use of high doses of diminazene aceturate in an effort to combat resistant trypanosomes could have adverse reproductive effects on female animals in the early period of pregnancy.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the calcium and phosphorus contents of four domestic animals used as sources of meat in Nigeria.Methods:The calcium contents of the body parts of the animals were determined using atomic absor...Objective:To investigate the calcium and phosphorus contents of four domestic animals used as sources of meat in Nigeria.Methods:The calcium contents of the body parts of the animals were determined using atomic absorption spectrometer.Their phosphorus contents were determined colorimetrically using the molybdenum blue method.Results:The calcium and phosphorus contents were significantly higher in the bone samples than in the other animal parts investigated (P【0.05).The calcium contents of all the edible parts were higher in chicken than in the other animals.High calcium and phosphorus contents were detected in the faeces of chicken and goat, and that of cattle and goat,respectively.Low calcium and phosphorus contents were detected in the urine samples.Calcium:phosphorus ratios calculated for the bones of chicken,cattle and goat were satisfactory.Conclusions:In conclusion,calcium and phosphorus contents of the animal parts vary significantly and their relative contents may be related to the animal’s diet.Chicken parts may be the preferred dietary source of these minerals.This study highlights the need for routine investigation of the mineral contents of food,which is necessary for proper nutritional guidelines.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the effects of immediate post-partum infection with Trypanosoma brucei（T.brucei） on dam and offspring.Methods:Sixty female Albino rats（Rattus norvegicus） weighing between 130-170 g were us...Objective:To investigate the effects of immediate post-partum infection with Trypanosoma brucei（T.brucei） on dam and offspring.Methods:Sixty female Albino rats（Rattus norvegicus） weighing between 130-170 g were used as animal model.The animals were divided as follows: 25 infected between 1-5 days post partum;10 infected unbred as positive controls;and 25 uninfected as negative controls.The following parameters were evaluated:packed cell volume （PCV）,level of parasitaemia,survival time,litter size and litter weight at birth and on days 7, 14 and 21 post delivery,using conventional methods.Possible trans-mammary transmission of infection to litter through milk was also assessed.Results:The results showed a comparatively （P【0.05） higher mean PCV value for the uninfected negative control on the 8 day post infection compared with the infected groups which corresponded with the increasing level of parasitaemia in the two infected groups.Mean litter size and litter weights were higher（P【0.05） in the uninfected controls on the 21<sup>st</sup> day.Survival time in the infected groups were similar.No evidence of trans-mammary transfer of infection was recorded.Conclusion:T.brucei infection during immediate post partum period is detrimental to the dam and impairs growth of the offspring.展开更多
Objective: To evaluate the influence of unilateral cryptorchidism on semen and sperm characteristics in West African Dwarf (WAD) bucks. Methods: Semen was collected using electroejaculator from five unilaterally crypt...Objective: To evaluate the influence of unilateral cryptorchidism on semen and sperm characteristics in West African Dwarf (WAD) bucks. Methods: Semen was collected using electroejaculator from five unilaterally cryptorchid (UC) and five normal (non-cryptorchid) WAD bucks and analyzed for gross, microscopic and biochemical characteristics. Results:Gross semen evaluation showed no differences between the groups in semen color, viscosity and pH, whereas the normal bucks yielded semen with significantly higher specific gravity (P=0.0436) and volume (P=0.0388) than the UC group. Following semen microscopic evaluation, the percentage of sperm vitality (live sperm) was not significantly different between both groups. However, UC bucks yielded semen with significantly lower sperm motility (P=0.0387), sperm concentration per mL (P=0.0020) and total sperm count per ejaculate (P=0.0074). The percentage total sperm abnormality was also higher (P<0.0001) in the semen of UC goats. Abnormalities observed included sperm with cytoplasmic droplets, looped tails, coiled tails and tailless heads. Sperm morphometry showed no differences in the sperm head length and head width between the groups. Biochemical semen evaluation did not reveal any differences between the groups in the concentration of seminal plasma total protein, catalase activity and lipid peroxidation level. Conclusions: Unilateral cryptorchidism significantly affected the quantity and quality of semen and spermatozoa in affected WAD bucks. Due to the hereditary attribute of the condition, it is recommended that animals with this condition should not be used in breeding to forestall increasing prevalence of cryptorchidism in goats.展开更多
The failure of testicular descent (cryptorchidism) is known to cause abnormal testicular development and function. Unilateral cryptorchidism is prevalent in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats particularly in some areas wh...The failure of testicular descent (cryptorchidism) is known to cause abnormal testicular development and function. Unilateral cryptorchidism is prevalent in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats particularly in some areas where affected bucks are presumed to have better libido and reproductive efficiency by farmers. Androgens produced by the testes can influence libido and other hormonal and metabolic processes in the body. The study investigated the influence of natural unilateral cryptorchidism on serum reproductive hormones, total protein, lipid profile, oxidative stress, and haematology and libido in WAD bucks. Ten WAD bucks (aged 12 - 14 months) comprising 5 bucks with normal descended testes (N group) and 5 unilaterally-cryptorchid bucks (UC group) were studied. Blood and sera were collected and evaluated for haematology, serum total proteins and lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoproteins) concentrations, serum oxidative stress (catalase and lipid peroxidation activity), and serum levels of reproductive hormones (testosterone, FSH and LH). Libido testing of bucks was also performed by randomly isolating and confining each individual male with a doe on standing heat and recording the number of mountings made by the male within a period of 5 minutes as the libido score. The evaluated haematological indices and serum levels of proteins, lipids, oxidative stress indicators and reproductive hormones were not significantly different between the N and UC groups (p > 0.05). Although a higher mean libido score was recorded in N bucks compared to the UC group, this difference was not significant. Whereas no negative effects were observed in the evaluated physiologic indices in UC bucks, these findings do not support the presumption by farmers that UC bucks have better libido than bucks with fully descended testes. Therefore, these animals should not be selected for breeding to avoid increasing the prevalence of unilateral cryptorchidism due to its genetic attribute.展开更多
文摘Objective:To investigate the effects of comparatively high doses of diminazene aceturate on the reproductive performance of female rats in the early stage of pregnancy.Methods:After oestrus synchronisation and successful mating,20 pregnant female rats were randomly divided into four groups(A-D).Group A rats served as the control and were given single intraperitoneal injection of 0.5 mL sterile water(vehicle only) while groups B.C and D rats were given single intraperitoneal doses of 7,14 and 21 mg/kg body weight diminazene aceturate respectively,on day 7 of pregnancy.The gestation length,litter size and weight at birth,and areas of foetal resorption in the uterus were determined post partum.The post-implantation survival index(%) and the gestation index(group%) were also evaluated for rats in all the groups.Results:There was a graded increase in the number of observed resorbed foetuses as the dose of diminazene aceturate was increased,although only groups C(14 mg/kg) and D(21 mg/kg) revealed a significant decrease(P<0.01,ANOVA) in the post implantation survival index of rat embryos.There was also a significant decrease(P<0.05) in the litter weights of rats in groups C and D.Conclusions: Although the pregnant rats showed no overt signs of systemic toxicity even at the highest dose of 21 mg/kg body weight diminazene aceturate in this study,it was concluded that the use of high doses of diminazene aceturate in an effort to combat resistant trypanosomes could have adverse reproductive effects on female animals in the early period of pregnancy.
文摘Objective:To investigate the calcium and phosphorus contents of four domestic animals used as sources of meat in Nigeria.Methods:The calcium contents of the body parts of the animals were determined using atomic absorption spectrometer.Their phosphorus contents were determined colorimetrically using the molybdenum blue method.Results:The calcium and phosphorus contents were significantly higher in the bone samples than in the other animal parts investigated (P【0.05).The calcium contents of all the edible parts were higher in chicken than in the other animals.High calcium and phosphorus contents were detected in the faeces of chicken and goat, and that of cattle and goat,respectively.Low calcium and phosphorus contents were detected in the urine samples.Calcium:phosphorus ratios calculated for the bones of chicken,cattle and goat were satisfactory.Conclusions:In conclusion,calcium and phosphorus contents of the animal parts vary significantly and their relative contents may be related to the animal’s diet.Chicken parts may be the preferred dietary source of these minerals.This study highlights the need for routine investigation of the mineral contents of food,which is necessary for proper nutritional guidelines.
文摘Objective:To investigate the effects of immediate post-partum infection with Trypanosoma brucei（T.brucei） on dam and offspring.Methods:Sixty female Albino rats（Rattus norvegicus） weighing between 130-170 g were used as animal model.The animals were divided as follows: 25 infected between 1-5 days post partum;10 infected unbred as positive controls;and 25 uninfected as negative controls.The following parameters were evaluated:packed cell volume （PCV）,level of parasitaemia,survival time,litter size and litter weight at birth and on days 7, 14 and 21 post delivery,using conventional methods.Possible trans-mammary transmission of infection to litter through milk was also assessed.Results:The results showed a comparatively （P【0.05） higher mean PCV value for the uninfected negative control on the 8 day post infection compared with the infected groups which corresponded with the increasing level of parasitaemia in the two infected groups.Mean litter size and litter weights were higher（P【0.05） in the uninfected controls on the 21<sup>st</sup> day.Survival time in the infected groups were similar.No evidence of trans-mammary transfer of infection was recorded.Conclusion:T.brucei infection during immediate post partum period is detrimental to the dam and impairs growth of the offspring.
文摘Objective: To evaluate the influence of unilateral cryptorchidism on semen and sperm characteristics in West African Dwarf (WAD) bucks. Methods: Semen was collected using electroejaculator from five unilaterally cryptorchid (UC) and five normal (non-cryptorchid) WAD bucks and analyzed for gross, microscopic and biochemical characteristics. Results:Gross semen evaluation showed no differences between the groups in semen color, viscosity and pH, whereas the normal bucks yielded semen with significantly higher specific gravity (P=0.0436) and volume (P=0.0388) than the UC group. Following semen microscopic evaluation, the percentage of sperm vitality (live sperm) was not significantly different between both groups. However, UC bucks yielded semen with significantly lower sperm motility (P=0.0387), sperm concentration per mL (P=0.0020) and total sperm count per ejaculate (P=0.0074). The percentage total sperm abnormality was also higher (P<0.0001) in the semen of UC goats. Abnormalities observed included sperm with cytoplasmic droplets, looped tails, coiled tails and tailless heads. Sperm morphometry showed no differences in the sperm head length and head width between the groups. Biochemical semen evaluation did not reveal any differences between the groups in the concentration of seminal plasma total protein, catalase activity and lipid peroxidation level. Conclusions: Unilateral cryptorchidism significantly affected the quantity and quality of semen and spermatozoa in affected WAD bucks. Due to the hereditary attribute of the condition, it is recommended that animals with this condition should not be used in breeding to forestall increasing prevalence of cryptorchidism in goats.
文摘The failure of testicular descent (cryptorchidism) is known to cause abnormal testicular development and function. Unilateral cryptorchidism is prevalent in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats particularly in some areas where affected bucks are presumed to have better libido and reproductive efficiency by farmers. Androgens produced by the testes can influence libido and other hormonal and metabolic processes in the body. The study investigated the influence of natural unilateral cryptorchidism on serum reproductive hormones, total protein, lipid profile, oxidative stress, and haematology and libido in WAD bucks. Ten WAD bucks (aged 12 - 14 months) comprising 5 bucks with normal descended testes (N group) and 5 unilaterally-cryptorchid bucks (UC group) were studied. Blood and sera were collected and evaluated for haematology, serum total proteins and lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoproteins) concentrations, serum oxidative stress (catalase and lipid peroxidation activity), and serum levels of reproductive hormones (testosterone, FSH and LH). Libido testing of bucks was also performed by randomly isolating and confining each individual male with a doe on standing heat and recording the number of mountings made by the male within a period of 5 minutes as the libido score. The evaluated haematological indices and serum levels of proteins, lipids, oxidative stress indicators and reproductive hormones were not significantly different between the N and UC groups (p > 0.05). Although a higher mean libido score was recorded in N bucks compared to the UC group, this difference was not significant. Whereas no negative effects were observed in the evaluated physiologic indices in UC bucks, these findings do not support the presumption by farmers that UC bucks have better libido than bucks with fully descended testes. Therefore, these animals should not be selected for breeding to avoid increasing the prevalence of unilateral cryptorchidism due to its genetic attribute.
