Effects of graded crude protein diet on serum biochemical parameters of African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus) reared in Ibadan, Nigeria

The domestication of African giant rats (AGRs) to supplement animal protein needs in Nigeria and its potential as a laboratory animal model for biomedical research have not been fully exploited. Thirty AGRs divided into 5groups (A-E) were used for the experiment. The rats were fed with feed containing graded protein at 9.83%, 14.79%, 21.21% (control), 23.93% and 27.84% crude protein in feed for a period of 10weeks. They were then sampled on day 28 and day 56 by collecting 5mls obtained from the orbital sinus of the AGRs into lithium heparinized (20u/ml) tubes for serum biochemical analysis. On day 28 the levels of sodium, potassium, urea and creatinine at 23.93% CP when compared with the corresponding values in those other groups. The serum protein level revealed significant differences in the levels of albumin and globulin being higher than the others at 27.84% CP with 4.34±0.13g/dl and 2.76±0.11g/dl respectively. Serum liver enzymes showed that the level of ALT was highest at 9.83%CP with 9.50±0.61iu. Significant increase was also observed in the level of Triglycerides (74.80±4.21) at 27.84% CP. On day 56, there was significant increase in the level of urea (47.00±2.52mg/dl) at 14.79%CP. Albumin /globulin ratio was significantly higher with 1.60±0.29 at 9.83%CP. There was a significant increase in the level of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) with 40.00±1.53iu at 9.83%CP. In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, the data from this study provide complete biochemical reference data that would be useful in clinical evaluation and management of AGRs. These will also be useful in achieving an appropriate diseases management and domestication plan for this species of animal.https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajbr/indexam2021Paraclinical SciencesProduction Animal Studie

A comparative study on stress, anxiety, and depression amongst medical and nursing students in a Nigerian private university.

This study compared the stress, anxiety and depression level reported by medical and nursing students in the first two years of their clinical training (i.e medical students in 4th and 5th year; Nursing students in the 3rd and 4th year). Descriptive research design was employed and the sample size of 102 was calculated by G power 3.1 using the difference between two independent means (two groups). A total of 51 medical and 51 nursing students studying at Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso were randomly recruited. Depression, Anxiety and Stress questionnaire (DASS 21) was adopted for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were carried out. Medical students reported higher mild depression (78.5%) and mild anxiety (82.4%) but lower mild stress (64.7%) compared with Nursing students viz. mild depression (68.6%), mild anxiety (76.5%) and mild stress (72.5%). Students older than 20 years experienced more depression (t=-3.51, p=0.001), anxiety (t=-3.625, p=0.000) and were more stressed (t=-7.86, p=0.000) compared to those less than 20 years. Also male students are more anxious (t=2.01, p=0.04) and more stressed (t=2.26, p=0.03) compared with female students. Students who had never repeat a course were more depressed (t=2.30, p=0.000), more anxious (t=-5.320, p= 0.000) and more stressed (t=4.904, p=0.000) than those who had repeated a course. Though not significant, medical students are more anxious and depressed than nursing students and nursing students are more stressed than medical students. Age and gender of the students affected the level of stress, depression and anxiety. Therefore, medical and nursing students should be taught on coping strategies to sustain their mental health. &nbsp

Assessment of Chronic Administration of Aloe Vera Gel On Haematology, Plasma Biochemistry, Lipid Profiles and Erythrocyte Osmotic Resistance in Wistar Rats

The study was designed to investigate the effects of chronic administration of Aloe vera gel extract on markers of hepatic damage, lipid profiles and erythrocyte osmotic fragility using the Wistar rats. Forty male Wistar rats divided into four groups of ten rats per group were used in the study. Group I which served as the control received 0.9% physiological saline while those in groups II, III and IV received Aloe vera gel (100, 250 and 500mg/kg), respectively, for four weeks. There was significant increase in the haemoglobin concentration while the PCV, RBC count, MCH and MCHC though showed some marginal increases but the increases were not significant in all the treated rats. No significant change was also observed in the erythrocyte osmotic fragility. However, there were significant reductions in plasma ALT (P<0.001), AST (P<0.05) and ALP (P<0.05) levels in animals that received the gel compared with the control while the plasma albumin (P<0.01) and total protein (p<0.05) values were higher than those of the control. All the animals that received the gel also showed significant reduction in plasma total cholesterol (P<0.001), triglycerides (P<0.001) and LDL-cholesterol ratio (p<0.01) compared with the control. In a similar manner, those animals that were administered with 500mg/kg gel had significantly higher (P<0.001) HDL-cholesterol ratio than those of the control. This study showed that, chronic administration of Aloe vera gel extract had no significant effects on the haematological parameters of the rats and did not affect erythrocyte osmotic resistance. It however showed some cholesterol lowering action

Effects of Graded Crude Protein Diet on Haematological Indices and Body Weight of African Giant Rat (Cricetomys gambianus )

The domestication of the African giant rat (AGRs) (Cricetomys gambianus) to compliment the inadequate animal protein supplies in Nigeria and its potential to serve as a model for biomedical research is yet to be fully exploited. This study determines the effects of varied crude protein (CP) diet on haematological indices and body weight of AGRs. Blood samples were obtained from the orbital sinus of 30 apparently healthy adult male and female AGRs. The AGR’s were kept in captivity and divided into 6 rats per group (A, B, C, D and E). Group A served as control group. The groups were fed with graded levels of crude protein (CP) of (E) 9.83%, (D) 14.79%, (A) 21.21%, (C) 23.93% and (B) 27.84%. Each chloroform pre-anaesthetized AGRs were weighed at days 0 and 14, 28, 42 and 56, while blood samples were collected at days 28 and 56. The samples were each analyzed for erythrocyte and leucocyte parameters and platelet counts by standard methods. All data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and student t-test. At 28 days post-feeding, AGRs fed with 27.84% CP showed no significant elevations in erythrocyte and leucocyte values compared with control values (21.21% CP). However, at 56 days post-feeding, RBC, Hb, PCV, total WBC, eosinophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts were significantly lowered in the group fed with 27.84% CP. No significant differences in body weights were observed in rats that were fed 27.84%, 21.21%, 14.8% and 9.8% crude protein diets for 28 and 56 days. This study shows improved body weight with 27.84% CP compared with other crude protein percentage used while 14.79% CP had the best haematological parameters when compared with other crude protein groups. Keywords: African giant rats; Crude protein; Haematology; Weig

Ameliorative effects of Cnidoscolus aconitlfolius on alloxan toxicity in Wistar rats

Background: Diabetes has been associated with several complications occasioned by oxidative stress. Thus, in treatment of the condition, these complications must also be taken into consideration. This study evaluates the effect of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius complications of diabetes induced by alloxan, on haematology and sperm morphometty using the Wistar rats. Methods: Diabetes was induced in 25 rats using alloxan. The diabetic rats were then divided into five groups B-F consisting of five rats per group. Groups C-E were administered with 100mg/kg, 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg of ethanolic leaves extract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, respectively, for four weeks post treatment with alloxan, while group F received Chlorpropamide (Diabenes®, Pfizer). The diabetic rats in group B were not treated while group A served as the non diabetic control. Result: Following treatment with alloxan, there was anaemia, thrombocytopenia and leucopenia, while the sperm count, motility and live/dead ratio were significantly reduced. Sperm morphological abnormalities and erythrocyte osmotic fragility also increased significantly. Following treatment of alloxan treated-rats with the extract, there were significant increases in the PCV, RBC, Hb, WBC, MCV and the platelet values. Erythrocyte osmotic fragility, sperm count, motility and live/dead ratio also improved significantly. Conclusion: Cnidoscolus aconitifolius extract was found to ameliorate the effects of alloxan induced diabetes on the haematology but not on the abnormal sperm morphometty in rats

Short distance transportation stress: effects of ascorbic acid and a-tocopherol on free radical generation and endogenous antioxidant status

The modulatory effect of pre-treatment with ascorbic acid and á-tocopherol on short distance transportation was investigated in the domestic chicken. Thirty-two, adult (20 week old), female Nera black chicken were divided into four groups (A-D) consisting of eight birds per group. Groups A and B were not given any antioxidant while groups C and D were given 650mg/kg and 270mg/kg ascorbic acid and á-tocopherol, respectively in their feed for two weeks. The birds in groups B, C and D were transported over a distance of 200km. Total plasma protein, H2O2 generation, lipid peroxidation and glutathione levels were evaluated in all the birds after transportation. There were no significant differences in the total protein, H2O2 generation, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels in those birds transported without antioxidant compared with the control. The ascorbic acid group had higher H2O2 and malondialdehyde levels but lower plasma protein and glutathione than the control. However, the á-tocopherol group had higher H2O2 and glutathione levels but lower protein than the control. It is concluded that short distance transportation may not increase oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the chicken. Prolonged use of vitamin C and E as antioxidants may however lead to oxidative stress. Vitamin E also appears to improve glutathione level more than Vitamin C.Keywords: Ascorbic acid, Lipid peroxidation, Oxidative stress, Transportation, átocophero

Land use/Land cover changes due to Quarrying in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria: An Assessment and Implication for Rural Livelihood

Quarrying activity is one of the major causes of land use /land cover changes in Nigeria with effects on the natural ecosystems. This study employed Landsat TM:1984, 2000 and OLI/TIRS2014 to assess land use and land cover changes due to quarrying activities in Odeda, Ogun State, Nigeria. A supervised method classification was employed using the Maximum likelihood algorithm. Area covered by quarry sites decreased from 52.26 hectares in 1984 to 114.206 hectares by 2000 and then 240.759 hectares in 2014. On the other hand, light forest, which had largest cover of 637.282 hectares in 1984 reduced to 614.678 hectares in 2000 and drastically to 326.517 hectares by 2014. Land degradation, dust, noise and vibration originating from quarries are major environmental impacts of quarry operations in the area. Enforcement of regulations and laws through effective monitoring by the required institutions will create a balanced and sustainable environment. Keywords: GIS and remote sensing, Land degradation, Landsat OLI/TIRS, LULC, Quarryin