Embryogenesis of Heterobranchus longifilis (Curvier and Valenciennes, 1840)

Studies on development of H. longifilis (Curvier and Valenciennes, 1840) were conducted at a temperature of 25EC ( 1Ec) in aquaria tanks continuous development were monitored with the use of wild Heerbrugy photomacroscope and length of yolk and larva were monitored using Stereo Olympus microscope with ocular micrometer. The division into animal and vegetal poles was observed 22 minutes after activation. The first cleavage occurred 65 minutes after activation while the second division which was perpendicular to the first line of division occurred 74 minutes after activation. This was quickly followed by the third and fourth cleavage at 80th and 82nd minutes after activation respectively. Morular stage was reached at 4 hours 20 minutes with formation of optic bud at 14 hours 35 minutes. (DBO) Developing embryo hatched after 27 hours of activation at a mean length of 6.63 and mean yolk length of 2.17. Yolk size decrease at an average rate of 38.5 % till the 5th day of total absorption. Growth of larvae proceeded faster in tail-anus region than in anus-snout portion of the body. The rate of yolk absorption and larva development (survival) as monitored in this work gives important information in Research and development programme for H. longifilis larva - an important aspect of Research development and implementation of appropriate technologies in small scale fisherie

The relationship between thyroid function and bone health in euthyroid healthy adult Nigerians

There is a dearth of reports on variation in thyroid function within the reference range on bone health in euthyroid healthy adults in Nigeria This study evaluated the variation in thyroid function within reference range on biochemical bone markers and bone mineral density in healthy adults. This prospective study was carried out among 40 healthy participants above 21 years of age but less than 50 years by systematic random sampling. Exclusion criteria included subjects with acute or chronic disease states, previous fractures, any drug use, history of alcoholor smoking. Interviewer –questionnaire was administered. Anthropometric indices determined. Blood samples for thyroid function tests included triiodothyronine (FT3), thyroxine(FT4), Thyroid Stimulating Hormone(TSH-thyrotropin), osteocalcin (OC), and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum calcium adjusted for albumin, inorganic phosphorus, and urine sample for calcium and creatinine were collected after 10 - 12 hours fast. 24 hour calcium excretion was calculated (CaE). Bone mineral Density determined by Dual X - ray Absorptiometry scan. Statistical analysis done,< 0.05 set as level of significant. The mean age 34.10 years (7.8), with BMI 26.32kg/m2 (4.02),waist circumference 76.60cm (17.07). The mean levels of bone markers were osteocalcin 17.68ng/ml (10.67), alkaline phosphatase70.60 IU/L (16.56) and 24hour calcium excretion 396.10mg/dl (101.89). OC and ALP inversely correlated with age but CaE did not. TSH positively correlates OC( r =0.35,p=0.029), but not CaE, p > 0.05. FT4 correlates bone formation markers OC,ALPand CaE p <0.05. Neither FT3,FT4 or TSH neither correlates with zscore BMD. Normal variation in the levels of ft4 and TSH has an early impact on biochemical bone markers compared to bone mineral density. Biochemical bone markers are thus suggested as screening tools for early detection of metabolic bone diseases in euthyroid healthy adults.Keywords: Thyroid function, Bone Markers, Healthy Adult

Effects of selected green manure on the growth of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum and Thonn) Taubert seedlings

Despite the high medicinal properties of Tetrapleura tetraptera to most of the people of Nigeria and other nations of the world, it only exist as a protected and semi domesticated plant. This study was carried out to determine the effect of green manure (Chromolena odorata and Tithonia diversifolia) on the growth of Tetrapleura tetraptera seedlings with a view to enhancing growth without causing any damage to the environment. The treatments were Chromolena odorata leaves (5g, 10g, 15g and 20g), Tithonia diversifolia leaves (5g, 10g, 15g and 20g) and the control. Thirty-six (36) healthy seedlings were selected and transplanted into polythene pots filled with 1 kg of loamy soil with different levels of C. odorata and T. diversifolia. Each treatment was replicated four times and laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Initial growth parameters were taken after transplanting into polythene pots and every other data were collected every two weeks for the period of 12 weeks. The data collected were height growth (cm) collar diameter (cm) and leaf production. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results from ANOVA revealed that there was no significant (p>0.05) difference among the treatments used at 5% level of probability which implies that varying level of green manure employed shows no significant effect on the height, stem diameter and leaf production of T. tetrapleura seedlings