Sexual dimorphism in the whole brain and brainstem morphometry in the African giant pouched rat (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse 1840)

The study was conducted to evaluate the sexual dimorphism in the morphometric parameters of the whole brain and the brainstem in adult captive African giant pouched rats. Twenty-nine brain samples, comprising 15 females and 14 males, were utilized. Following brain extraction by standard procedures, the mean values of the weights, lengths, diameters, and volumes of the intact brains and the brainstem structures were compared in male and female rats using quantitative analytical statistical methods. The absolute brain weight obtained in the male was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than that of the female while the relative brain weight obtained in the female (0.636 &#177; 0.049%) was higher than that of the male rats (0.564 &#177; 0.032%), although the difference in the values was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The lengths of the brain and myelencephalon, as well as the weights of the myelencephalon and mesencephalon, did not differ between the two sexes (p > 0.05). The weights and lengths of the pons did not differ between the two sexes (p > 0.05). There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the pyramidal length and a highly significant difference (p < 0.01) in the pyramidal width between the two sexes, with the male rats having higher values. This pioneering sexual dimorphic brain morphometry provides information for further research. (Folia Morphol 2010; 69, 2: 69-74

Genetic variability among pig populations in Imo State, Nigeria using random amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR

AbstractRandom amplified Polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction (RAPD DNA-PCR) was employed to access the genetic variability and phylogenetic relationship among pig populations in Imo State. Genomic DNA from 50 pigs comprising of at least 10 pigs per geopolitical zone of Imo state were extracted and two highly polymorphic primers utilized to estimate variability, phylogenetic relationship among the pigs and their genetic diversity. The genetic distance and genetic identity estimated showed that genetic distances (D) calculated ranged between 0.0300 (Songhai vs FUTO) and 0.1497 (Mbaise vs Awo-Idemili), while the genetic identity (I) calculated ranged between 0.8610 (Mbaise vs Awo-Idemili) and 0.9704 (Songhai vs FUTO). Similarity was observed between Songhai, Mbaise and FUTO populations, while Mbano and Awo–idemili exhibited dissimilarity. The phylogenetic tree showed that Songhai, FUTO and Mbaise populations are more closely related while Mbano and Awo-idemili are more genetically distant. The standard genetic diversity (h*) of total population ranged from 0.0001 to 0.4998 with an average of 0.3208, while Shannon's information index (I*) ranged from 0.0001 to 0.6929 with a mean of 0.4762. This study shows that genetic diversity of the RAPD DNA polymorphs amongst pig populations in Imo State is low while the genetic relationship between the different populations varies from population to population

Haematological and anti-oxidant changes associated with chloroquine resistance reversal by leaf extract of Moringa oleifera Lam

Anti-oxidant and heamatological indices in mice passaged with quinine resistant Plasmodium berghei treated with chloroquine co-administered with flavonoid rich anti-plasmodial fraction of Moringa oleifera leaves were determined in this study. Using Rane’s test, 60 male albino mice were randomized into 10 groups of six mice each. Nine groups were inoculated with quinine resistant strains of Plasmodium berghei and treated with tween 80, 10 mg/kg chloroquine (CQ) co-administered with graded concentrations of fractions of Moringa oleifera leaves, and standard artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) drug, Artemether lumefantrin at a dose of 1.14/6.85 mg/kg, while the uninfected Tenth Group was treated with tween 80. In addition to the parasitaemia suppression, malondialdehyde (MDA), enzymic anti-oxidant activities, non enzymic anti-oxidants concentrations and heamatological indices were determined from blood collected by ocular puncture using standard methods. Phytochemical profiling of fraction was done using standard methods. The extract co-administration with 10 mg/kg CQ significantly (p&lt;0.05) dose and time dependently suppressed parasitaemia in the treated groups with total parasite clearance observed in the ACT and CQ-fraction treated-groups by day 9. Meanplasma MDA concentration were significantly (p&lt;0.05) decreased in the CQ-fraction treatments when compared with the ACT treatment. Mean packed cell volume and white blood cell counts were decreased but not significantly (p&gt;0.05) in the CQ-fraction treated groups when compared to the ACT treated-group. The finding of this study has demonstrated the CQ resistance reversal of extract of M. oleifera leaves with amelioration of malarial-induced haematological and oxidative stress.Keywords: resistance reversal, Moringa oleifera, co-administration, anti-oxidant