Cranio-facial and Ocular Morphometrics of the Male Greater Cane Rat (Thryonomys swinderianus)

Cranio-facial indices still remain a useful means of early detection of the characteristic facial appearance of some syndromes. The cranio-facial and gross ocular morphometry of the male Greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus) was studied using 9 adults. A total of twenty seven parameters were determined for each head. Linear measurements were determined on each eyeball using digital vernier calliper, measuring rule and a piece of twine. Cranio-facial parameters assessed included distance between medial canthi, height of the incisor, extent of oral commissures, width and length of the pinnae. All measured parameters were correlated with the body weight. The highest positive correlation was observed between the body weight and the width of the head, while the heights of the two upper incisors showed the lowest negative correlation with the body weight. The weights of the animals, heads and both eyeballs were 1.97 ± 0.37 kg, 252.00 ± 36.89 g, and 1.00 ± 0.12 g respectively. With increase in the use of wildlife as experimental animals, results from this study may find application in the field of comparative anatomy and pathological studies as well as in wildlife clinical applications.Key words: Greater cane rat, craniofacial index, anthropometric indices, ocular measurements

The ameliorative effects of a phenolic derivative of Moringa oleifera leave against vanadium-induced neurotoxicity in mice

Vanadium, a transition series metal released during some industrial activities, induces oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. Ameliorative effect of a pure compound from the methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves, code-named MIMO2, in 14-day old mice administered with vanadium (as sodium metavanadate 3 mg/kg) for 2 weeks was assessed. Results from body weight monitoring, muscular strength, and open field showed slight reduction in body weight and locomotion deficit in vanadium-exposed mice, ameliorated with MIMO2 co-administration. Degeneration of the Purkinje cell layer and neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 region were observed in vanadium-exposed mice and both appeared significantly reduced with MIMO2 co-administration. Demyelination involving the midline of the corpus callosum, somatosensory and retrosplenial cortices was also reduced with MIMO2. Microglia activation and astrogliosis observed through immunohistochemistry were also alleviated. Immunohistochemistry for myelin, axons and oligodendrocyte lineage cells were also carried out and showed that in vanadium-treated mice brains, oligodendrocyte progenitor cells increased NG2 immunolabelling with hypertrophy and bushy, ramified appearance of their processes. MIMO2 displayed ameliorative and antioxidative effects in vanadium-induced neurotoxicity in experimental murine species. This is likely the first time MIMO2 is being used in vivo in an animal model

A rare case of left additional renal artery in a Nigerian goat

The report of the occurrence of additional renal arteries in domestic animals is rare in the literature. We report a case of an additional renal artery in the left kidney found in a Red Sokoto goat cadaver. The additional renal artery originated from the abdominal aorta 3.80 cm cranial to the origin of the main renal artery. The additional renal artery was relatively long, being 6.30 cm from its origin to the cranial pole region of the kidney where it supplied the kidney. This to the best of our knowledge is the first report in the literature indexed in the Medline of an additional renal artery in a goat

Some aspects of the craniofacial indices and macro neurometrics of the Nigerian local pig (Sus scrofa)

This study is about the craniofacial indices and neuromorphometrics of the Nigerian local pig and has been performed on twelve males and fourteen females of ages one and a half to two years. The average values obtained for the tongue length, tongue weight, rasp length, left pinna length, right pinna length, left pinna width, right pinna width, height of left external nares, height of right external nares and the rima oris length were 17±1.3 cm, 90±16 g, 4.6±0.58 cm, 13±1.3 cm, 13±1.3 cm, 8.7±1.5 cm, 8.7±1.4 cm, 0.98±0.12 cm, 0.96±0.13 cm and 19.51±2.89 cm respectively, while the mean brain weight, mean brain length, cerebrum and cerebellum lengths, brain and cerebellar heights were 84±12 g, 6.9±1.5 cm, 4.9±1.7 cm, 2.2±1.0 cm, 5.2±0.88 cm and 3.0±1.1 cm respectively. There was a negative correlation between the weight of the animal and the height of the cerebellum, the length of cerebrum and length of the cerebellum and between the weight of the head and height of the cerebellum. A positive correlation was however observed between the length of brain and the weight of brain, and between the length of the cerebrum and weight of brain. The cerebral length was statistically longer (P < 0.01) in the males than the females. The data obtained from this study will provide added information in the field of comparative anatomy and porcine neuroanatomy research

Gross description and osteometrics of the axial skeleton (ribs and vertebrae) of Eidolon Helvum (African fruit bat)

Summary: The Eidolon helvum is a straw coloured fruit bat, also known as the African fruit bat. This study details the anatomical peculiarities, gross description and morphometrics of the ribs. Fifteen adult bats were used for this study. The vertebral formula was C7T13-14L3-4S7Cd3-4. Spinous process was rudimentary on thoracic vertebrae 1 to 7. The numbers of the ribs ranged from 13 to 14, with the longest being rib 7, and the shortest being rib 14. Twenty percent of the males and 50% of the females had 14 ribs; the male and one female had the 14th rib being unilateral (present on the right side of male and left side of female). The first rib did not articulate directly with the sternum, but through a connecting triangular-shaped bone. The thoracic inlet and outlet were larger in males, relative to the females (inlet height – males 21.82 ± 2.68 mm, females 20.44 ± 4.91 mm; outlet height – males 36.46 ± 3.76 mm, females 33.23 ± 4.33 mm). The sternum was segmented, five in number and had a ventral elongation like the avian keel. Data obtained may find application in comparative and applied anatomy, and forensic medicine.Keywords: Eidolon helvum, Axial skeleton, Osteology, Osteometrics, Triangular boneNiger. J. Physiol. Sci. 33(December 2018) 189-19

Anatomical description of the central nervous system and the vertebral column of the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

Wildlife anaesthesiology is a dynamic and emerging field. Different species of aquatic and wildlife species are gradually gaining more recognition for their use in research, as pets or as food. This study highlights some gross and histological features of the central nervous system and vertebral column of the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Twenty male adult African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) were used for this experiment. Brains and spinal cords were harvested and linear measurements obtained. Routine stains Heamatoxylin and Eosin and Cresyl Violet stain were used for histological preparation. Grossly, the brain was lobulated, appearing like follicles. Relative brain weight was 0.11± 0.02%. Average fork length was 439.40 ± 21.26 mm, and the calculated encephalisation quotient was 0.084 ± 0.013, making the catfish appear to be at a lower level on the intelligence ladder. Histology revealed a telencephalon with indistinct layers, unlike that observed in mammals. The cerebellum was also unique, with the Purkinje cells appearing like spindle-shaped neurons and irregularly distributed in the molecular layer. The stroma of the molecular layer of the cerebellum was seen to form tracts which extend into the granular layer. The number of vertebral bones were consistent in all animals but there was a variation in the number of spinal nerves observed. The distinguishing features of the vertebral bones were highlighted and the presence of a ventral foramen, partly enclosed by the transverse processes was discussed. Results obtained from this study will find application in comparative anatomy, fish anesthesiology and possibly surgical maneuvers involving neurological diseases

Pinealocytes and Glia Cells in the Pineal Gland of the African Straw-Coloured Fruit Bat (Eidolon helvum)

The mammalian pineal gland is a structure that in recent years has been extensively studied, due to its functions and the hormones it produces. Bats are the only known flying mammals, with the order having a large number of species. This study was carried out to investigate the gross and histological features of the pineal gland of the Eidolon helvum, the African fruit bat, using male and female subjects. Eight free flying E. helvum (4 males, 4 females) were captured using mist nets. The pineal gland was grossly observed to be very small in size, oval in shape, and covered by the pia mater. Histological examination revealed two populations of pinealocytes – Types I and II – oval structures possessing acidophilic cytoplasm and large, round nuclei. Pinealocytes were seen to appear singly or in clusters, having no particular arrangement. Sexual dimorphism was observed, with the females having less density in population of pinealocytes at the peripheral region of the gland. This was consistent in all subjects examined. Astrocytic appearance was typical with long and slender processes, and perivascular and capsular microglia were observed. The glia cells were observed to be abundant in the parenchyma and around the capsule. There was no sensitivity to NeuN antibody. Results obtained may find application in behavioural and comparative neuroscience

The ameliorative effects of a phenolic derivative of Moringa oleifera leave against vanadium-induced neurotoxicity in mice

Vanadium, a transition series metal released during some industrial activities, induces oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. Ameliorative effect of a pure compound from the methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves, code-named MIMO2, in 14-day old mice administered with vanadium (as sodium metavanadate 3 mg/kg) for 2 weeks was assessed. Results from body weight monitoring, muscular strength, and open field showed slight reduction in body weight and locomotion deficit in vanadium-exposed mice, ameliorated with MIMO2 co-administration. Degeneration of the Purkinje cell layer and neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 region were observed in vanadium-exposed mice and both appeared significantly reduced with MIMO2 co-administration. Demyelination involving the midline of the corpus callosum, somatosensory and retrosplenial cortices was also reduced with MIMO2. Microglia activation and astrogliosis observed through immunohistochemistry were also alleviated. Immunohistochemistry for myelin, axons and oligodendrocyte lineage cells were also carried out and showed that in vanadium-treated mice brains, oligodendrocyte progenitor cells increased NG2 immunolabelling with hypertrophy and bushy, ramified appearance of their processes. MIMO2 displayed ameliorative and antioxidative effects in vanadium-induced neurotoxicity in experimental murine species. This is likely the first time MIMO2 is being used in vivo in an animal model