Haematological profile of the domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) in Nsukka agro-ecological zone, Enugu state, Nigeria

This study evaluated the haematological profile of the domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica). Seventy five pigeons were acquired for the study from three locations (Ibagwa, Orba and Enugu-Ezike) where pigeons are raised in Nsukka agro-ecological zone, Enugu State, Nigeria, but after two weeks of acclimatization 64 of the pigeons (34 females and 30 males) that were considered apparently healthy were used for the study. One ml of blood was collected from each pigeon by jugular venipuncture for evaluation of the haematological parameters. The haematological characteristics of the pigeons were determined using standard methods. The overall mean values obtained for the haematological parameters were as follows: packed cell volume (PCV) – 44.54 ± 4.73%; haemoglobin concentration (Hb) – 12.89 ± 1.55 g/dl; red blood cell (RBC) count – 3.34 ± 0.38 (106/ul); mean corpuscular volume (MCV) – 133.86 ± 19.37 fl; mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) – 38.67 ± 5.34 pg; mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) – 28.97 ± 2.59 g/dl; leukocyte counts (103/ul): total leukocyte – 23.36 ± 7.06; lymphocyte – 10.66 ± 3.49, heterophil – 7.80 ± 2.89, monocyte count – 2.32 ± 0.93, eosinophil count – 2.25 ± 0.89, and basophil – 0.24 ± 0.30. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) between the males and females in all the haematological parameters evaluated and the body weights. There were however significant variations (p<0.05) in the PCV, absolute heterophil, monocyte and basophil counts, percentage lymphocyte, eosinophil and basophil counts of the pigeons from the three locations.Keywords: Domestic pigeons, Columba livia domestica, Haematolog

Helminth fauna of the five phenotypes of gallus gallus domesticus in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

With the rise in the rearing of Gallus gallus domesticus (local chicken) in Nigeria, it becomes pertinent to study various aspects of diseases affecting this type of chicken. In this study, five phenotypes (normal, frizzle feathered, wild type, naked and crested neck) of the G. gallus domesticus in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria were screened for helminth parasites. Nodular lesions found in the proventriculus were processed for histopathological examination. An overall prevalence (OP) of 84 % (95 % CI = 0.6473 to 0.9421) was recorded. The helminth fauna of the five phenotypes were Ascaridia galli (OP 32 %), Raillietina sp. (OP 64 %) and Tetrameres sp. (OP 16 %). Single and mixed infections were observed in the study; single infections of Raillietina sp. was the most prevalent (40 %), while a mixed infection of A. galli and Raillietina sp. occurred most (20 %). Crested neck had the highest prevalence (100 %) of helminth infection (95 % CI = 0.5109 to 1.0000), while the other four phenotypes had 80 % prevalence of helminth infections (95 % CI = 0.3596 to 0.9797) each. Microscopically, the proventricular nodules revealed embryonated eggs of the female Tetrameres sp. with ulceration of the proventricular mucosa, necrosis of the proventricular glands with haemorrhage. The high prevalence reported across all the phenotypes may likely be attributed to poor management and feeding habit of G. gallus domesticus. It is recommended that farmers adopt the intensive system of management for the rearing of G. gallus domesticus and regular anthelmintic treatment of their birds

Restoration of Hepatic and Intestinal Integrity by Phyllanthus amarus Is Dependent on Bax/Caspase 3 Modulation in Intestinal Ischemia-/Reperfusion-Induced Injury

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Oxidative stress is a key player in intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury (IIRI) with a tendency to trigger systemic inflammatory response, resulting in progressive distal organ injury. To date, the role of Bax/caspase 3 signaling in IIRI has not been reported. Furthermore, the discovery of a safe and effective drug remains pertinent in improving the outcome of IIRI. Therefore, this study investigated the role of Bax/caspase 3 signaling in intestinal I/R-induced intestinal and hepatic injury. In addition, the protective effect and possible associated mechanism of action of methanolic Phyllanthus amarus leaf extract (PA) against intestinal I/R-induced intestinal and hepatic injury were evaluated. Materials and methods: Fifty male Wistar rats were randomized into five groups (n = 10). The sham-operated group was received 0.5 mL of distilled water for seven days prior to the sham surgery, while the IIRI, febuxostat (FEB) + IIRI, low-dose PA (LDPA) + IIRI, and high-dose PA (HDPA) + IIRI groups underwent the I/R procedure. In addition to the procedure, IIRI, FEB + IIRI, LDPA + IIRI, and HDPA + IIRI received 0.5 mL of distilled water, 10 mg/kg of febuxostat, 200 mg/kg of PA, and 400 mg/kg of PA, respectively, for seven days prior to the I/R procedure. Results: Administration of methanolic Phyllanthus amarus leaf extracts attenuated the intestinal I/R-induced rise in intestinal and hepatic injury markers, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, TNF-α, IL-6, and myeloperoxidase activities. In addition, Phyllanthus amarus ameliorated I/R-induced suppression of reduced glutathione, thiol and non-thiol proteins, and superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities in intestinal and hepatic tissues. These were coupled with the suppression of I/R-induced bacterial translocation, downregulation of I/R-induced activation of Bax/caspase 3 signaling, and improvement of I/R-induced distortion of intestinal and hepatic histoarchitecture by Phyllanthus amarus. Conclusion: Methanolic Phyllanthus amarus leaf extract protects against intestinal and hepatic injuries associated with intestinal I/R by suppressing oxidative-stress-mediated activation of Bax/caspase 3 signaling. The beneficial effects of Phyllanthus amarus may be ascribed to its constituent bioactive molecules, especially tannins, anthocyanin, alkaloids, and phenolics