5 research outputs found
Evaluation of the Impacts of Taurine on Oxidative Stress Indices in Sera and Brain of Rats Exposed to Cypermethrin
Cypermethrin is a pyrethroid insecticide applied for pest control on
animals and the environment. Taurine is a putative antioxidant and
bioprotective amino acid. The purpose of the research was to evaluate
the impacts of taurine on oxidative stress indices in the sera and
brains of rats exposed to cypermethrin. Forty rats were assigned to
five groups of eight rats each. Distilled water was given to the first
group, while the second group received soya oil (2 ml/kg). Cypermethrin
(20 mg/kg) was administered to the third group. The
Taurine50+Cypermethrin group received taurine (50 mg/kg) and
cypermethrin, while the Taurine100+Cypermethrin group was administered
with taurine (100 mg/kg) and Cypermethrin. The treatments were given
once daily by oral gavage for 35 days. Sera were obtained from the
blood samples of the rats after the completion of the study for the
determination of the oxidative stress indices (malondialdehyde
concentration and the activities of antioxidant enzymes). Oxidative
stress indices were analysed in the brains. Taurine significantly
(P< 0.05) augmented the superoxide dismutase activity in the sera.
However, other oxidative stress indices were not ameliorated by taurine
in the sera and the brains. Cypermethrin (20 mg/kg) did not overtly
evoke oxidative stress in the sera and the brains of the rats in this
study, probably because it is a moderately toxic insecticide. This is
the first study that has investigated the effects of taurine on
cypermethrin toxicity. Further research is warranted to expound the
mechanisms of action of taurine and cypermethrin in biological systems
Pathological changes associated with an outbreak of colibacillosis in a commercial broiler flock
Escherichia coli infection was diagnosed in 5-week old broiler chickens raised intensively on a medium-sized commercial farm in Gaube-Kuje, Abuja, Nigeria. Signs of weakness, depression and inappetance with ruffled feathers and pasted vents were reportedly observed in affected birds within the flock. Detailed post mortem examinations revealed diffuse splenomegaly and hepatomegaly with multifocal greyish areas on their surfaces while the diffusely enlarged kidneys were congested with mottled pale appearance. Histopathologically, the liver of affected broilers showed diffuse congestion, multifocal coagulative necrosis and cellular infiltration. Generalized perivascular and inter-septal oedema and haemorrhage were observed in the lungs of affected broilers with generalized lymphocytic depletion within the spleen as well as locally extensive congestion and haemorrhage within the kidney, and cellular infiltration and necrosis within heart musculatures. Microbiological evaluation of liver samples yielded pure E. coli growth only. A diagnosis of colibacillosis, especially colisepticaemia, was made with appropriate treatment based on culture and sensitivity test result involving Levofloxacin(R). The client was consequently advised to guard against possible predisposing factors as control and preventive measures for the disease outbreak on the farm.Keywords: Broiler chickens, Colibacillosis, Gross pathology, Histopathology, Natural infectio