Effect of abattoir wastes on selected soil properties in Abakaliki and Ezzamgbo southeastern Nigeria

This research was conducted in 2015 and 2016 at Abakaliki and Ezzamgbo Southeasern Nigeria to evaluate the effect of abattoir wastes on soil properties in Abakaliki Southeastern Nigeria. Four replicate auger and core soil samples were collected as follwos: 1m-donkey = 1 m away from donkey abattoir waste dumpsite at Ezzamgbo; 10m-donkey = 10 m away from donkey abattoir waste dumpsite at Ezzamgbo; 1m-cow = 1 m away from cow abattoir waste dumpsite at Abakaliki and 10m-cow = 10 m away from donkey abattoir waste dumpsite at Abakaliki while non-dumpsite at Mile – 4, Ishieke was used as Control. The data obtained was analysed using analysis of variance based on CRD and difference between treatments means were dictated using F-LSD. The result obtained showed significant higher improvement in soil bulk density, total porosity, mean weight diameter, aggregate stability, pH, available P, total N, organic C, exchangeable bases & acidity, effective cation exchange capacity and base saturation in soil near abattoir sites than control. Generally, the order of improvement in soil properties studied was 1m-donkey > 1m-cow > 10m-donkey > 10m-cow. Also, the improvement of soil properties was higher in the second year of the study when compared to the first year of the study. From, the results we can understand that the improvement in soil properties is directly depended on the type of animal slaughter in an abattoir, that is why at distance of 1 m away from abattoir and 10 m away from abattoir, donkey abattoir showed higher improvement in soil properties when compared to cow abattoir.Therefore, the study recommended the use of abattoir wastes as soil amendment to increase soil productivity and as means of waste disposal and nutrient recycle.Keywords: Abattoir, Butcher, Improvement, Sanitation and Waste

Cucumeropsis mannii seed oil (CMSO) attenuates alterations in testicular biochemistry and histology against Bisphenol a-induced toxicity in male Wister albino rats

From Elsevier via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: accepted 2022-03-18, epub 2022-03-25, issued 2022-03-31Article version: VoRPublication status: PublishedBackground Male reproductive health has deteriorated in recent years as a result of industrialization, which has led to the use of desirable chemicals, like Bisphenol A (BPA), of underlying toxicity. Cucumeropsis mannii seed is a common soup thickener that produces vegetable oil as well as essential nutrients making it a source of nutraceuticals enlisted with a wide range of therapeutic effects. Methods A total of 48 adult male Wistar rats (120 ± 200g) were used in this study. They were completely randomized and divided into six groups: A (1ml olive oil) irrespective of the weight, B [BPA 100 mg/kg body weight (bw)], C (CMSO 7.5 ml/kg bw), D (CMSO 7.5 ml/kg bw + BPA 100 mg/kg bw), E (CMSO 5.0 ml/kg bw + BPA 100 mg/kg bw), and E (CMSO 2.5 ml/kg bw + BPA 100 mg/kg bw). At the end of the administration via oral routes, rats were sacrificed and testes were collected for biochemistry and histological analysis. Results BPA significantly (P < 0.05) decreased total testicular protein, epididymal sperm parameters (count, volume, and motility), Mitochondrial Membrane Potential (MMP), body weight, testicular volume; and significantly (P < 0.05) increased testicular enzymes (alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase), testicular index; plus histological damages. Interestingly, co-administration of BPA and CMSO significantly (P < 0.05) reversed the biochemical and histological changes. Conclusions CMSO prevented the biochemistry and histological alterations hence reducing the testicular toxicity. Therefore, CMSO has the potential to be a promising novel nutraceutical for the treatment and management of BPA-induced testicular toxicity