Association of serum magnesium with haematological health indices in dogs

Magnesium (Mg) is the second most abundant trace element in the body of both humans and animals and is an essential element for health.  Hypomagnaesemia and hypermagnaesemia have been reported to be common occurrences in critically ill patients and were postulated to determine the prognosis of disease. This study was designed to ascertain the relationship between haematological health indices and serum Mg levels. A total of 103 dogs from the ‘dog market ‘of Jos, Plateau State were sampled. Blood was collected for complete blood count (CBC) using  standard manual procedures: Serum protein analysis was by the biuret colorimetric method, while serum Mg levels were determined with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Result showed that anaemic dogs (PCV < 35 %) had significantly (p<0.05) lower serum Mg (1.9 ± 0.15 mg/dL) than non-anaemic (PCV ≥ 35 %) dogs (2.6 ± 0.12 mg/dL). Dogs with regenerative anaemia (corrected reticulocyte count ≥ 1%) had significantly (p<0.05) lower serum Mg (2.3 ± 0.19 mg/dL) than dogs with non-regenerative anaemia (2.8 ± 0.12 mg/dL). Dogs with thrombocytopenia had significantly  (p<0.05) lower serum Mg (2.00 ± 0.16 mg/dL) than those with normal platelet counts (2.94 ± 0.12 mg/dL). Animals with marked leukopenia, mild neutropenia and marked lymphopenia had significantly (p<0.05) lower serum Mg levels. In conclusion, dogs with poor haematological health indices; low PCV, low platelet counts, low lymphocyte counts and low serum protein were associated with significantly lower serum Mg levels. Keywords: Dogs, Haematological health indices, Serum magnesium, Blood disorder

Histopathological changes in the gill and liver of Clarias gariepinus exposed to acute concentrations of Vernonia amygdalina

Vernonia amygdalina is a tropical African woody shrub with diverse phytochemical constituents recently linked with insecticidal properties that could replace the harmful agrochemical pesticide usage around aquatic environment. This study investigates the histopathological changes in the liver and gills of Clarias gariepinus exposed to acute toxic concentrations of V. amygdalina. C. gariepinus juveniles of varied weight (7.28 ± 0.03 g) and length (4.82 ± 0.06 cm) were exposed to graded aqueous concentrations (0.188, 0.375, 0.75, 1.50 and 3.00 g/l) of V. amygdalina. The varied concentrations of V. amygdalina precipitated varied dose-dependent histopathological distortions in the hepatic (central venous congestion and hepatocellular degeneration) and gill parenchyma (lamellar hyperplasia, clubbing and occluded inter-lamellar space) of exposed C. gariepinus. The liver (hepatocyte nuclear diameter and surface area) and gill (secondary lamellar length, width, interlamellar distance and surface area) morphometrics were strikingly altered varied concentrations of V. amygdalina. V. amygdalina seems to be toxic to fish and therefore has to be cautiously applied when used as insecticides to control unwanted organisms around the fish habitats.Keywords: Vernonia amygdalina, Clarias gariepinus, Histopathology, Liver, Gil

Histogenesis of the Oesophagus of Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris) at Prehatch and Posthatch

The histogenesis of the primordial oesophagus was studied to determine the period in which the tunics of the oesophagus developed and became functional in the helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris). Eighteen embryos and nine keets were studied at prehatch and posthatch, respectively. Simple columnar epithelium surrounded by mesenchymal cells was obvious at the 8th day of embryonic development. By the 19th day of embryonic development, the four tunics, tunica mucosa, submucosa, tunica muscularis, and tunica adventitia/serosa, were beginning to differentiate from the mesenchymal cells and also the primordial oesophageal glands appeared as clusters of cells that invaginate from the epithelium. By the 27th day, the tunics were clearly differentiated and the primordial glands were fully developed as evident with positive reaction to Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS). The tunics of the muscularis were not well developed till at posthatch. This study therefore concludes that the primordial oesophagus is active at the late incubation due to mucin secretion by mucous glands but fully functional at posthatch since the tunica muscularis is completely developed at posthatch

Bilaterally symmetrical foramina on the parietal bone of the bovine skull: a case report

Different bovine skull developmental defects have been reported with variable frequency of occurrence. We hereby report a bilaterally symmetrical parietal foramina in a processed skull meant for osteological practical at the Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Jos, Nigeria. The depths of each of the foramina were 4.3 cm, while the diameters were 1 cm. This appears to be the first report of such foramina in the skull of bovine in North Central Nigeria.Keywords: Bovine skull, Foramina, Parietal bone, Developmental defect

Bilaterally symmetrical foramina on the parietal bone of the bovine skull: a case report

Different bovine skull developmental defects have been reported with variable frequency of occurrence. We hereby report a bilaterally symmetrical parietal foramina in a processed skull meant for osteological practical at the Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Jos, Nigeria. The depths of each of the foramina were 4.3 cm, while the diameters were 1 cm. This appears to be the first report of such foramina in the skull of bovine in North Central Nigeria.Keywords: Bovine skull, Foramina, Parietal bone, Developmental defect

Histogenesis of the stomach of helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

The histogenesis of the stomach (proventriculus and ventriculus) of helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) was studied using light microscopy and histochemical techniques. Fifteen (15) embryos were utilized for this study. The result showed that at 10th and 13th days of embryonic development, the primordial proventriculus and ventriculus were lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium surrounded by mesenchyme connective tissue. At 19th day of embryonic development, the epithelium of the proventriculus and ventriculus as well as the proventricular glands was lined by simple cuboidal epithelium. Tunics; tunica muscularis and serosa were evident at this stage. At 23rd day of embryonic development, tubular glands of the ventriculus became canalized. The 27th day of embryonic develoment of the primordial proventriculus showed an organized glandular lobules, central cavity and prominent muscle layer while the ventriculus showed the presence of cuticle, simple tubular glands, loose connective tissues of the lamina propria and muscle layer. This study has shown that primordial stomach appeared to be completly differentiated to definitive stomach by the 27th day with the potential of commencing functional role.Keywords: Embryo, Proventriculus, Ventriculus, Guinea fowl, Numida meleagri