Haematological changes of Clarias gariepinus juveniles fed different dietary lipid

Twelve weeks feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of different dietary lipid sources on the hematological changes in Clarias gariepinus juveniles. Six (6) iso-nitroginous diets were formulated at 45% CP and fed to triplicate groups of 15 juveniles. The feed contained (Palm Seed Oil (PSO), Ugwu Seed (USO), Soya Bean Oil (SBO), Almond Seed Oil (ASO), Mixture Of All the vegetable oil + the fish oil (MOA) and Cod Liver Oil (CLO) which is the control. The oils were added at 5% inclusion level respectively. Fish of mean weight 22.83 ~c 0.30g were fed these experimental diets in triplicate groups. The hematological analyses of fish showed that red blood cell, white blood cell, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( ESR), Mean cell volume (MCV), Mean cell Haemoglobin (MCH) and packed cell volume were not significantly different (p0.05). The present study showed that PSO, USO, ASO, SBO and MOA can effectively replace cod liver oil without compromising the health of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus

In vivo antitrypanosomal evaluation of some medicinal plant extracts from Ogun state, Nigeria

Aqueous extracts of 5 medicinal plants comprising of the root bark of Morinda morindiodes and leaves of Tithonia diversifolia, Lippia multiflora, Ocimum gratissimum and Acalypha wilkesiana were investigated for antitrypanosomal activities in albino rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The plant extracts at 400mg/kg body weight (of rats) were administered once daily for 7 days in an established infection of 5 x 106 parasitaemia before starting treatment. There was significant reduction in parasitaemia (P< 0.05) on the 3rd day of treatment in rats treated with Morinda morindiodes, Tithonia diversifolia and Acalypha wilkesiana but parasitaemia later increased till survival time. Morinda morindiodes, a plant well known for its potents antimalarial effect, has it root bark extracts exhibiting the highest value of mean survival time (12.6+0.7) days this study. The result may probably suggest reduction in parasite virulence by Morinda morindiodes root bark extract. Keywords: Antitrypanosomal, evaluation, medicinal plants, in vivo, Ogun State, Nigeria

Effeet of Whole Allium cepa Linn. on haematological and biochemical components of Clarias gariepinus Juveniles

Toxicity of onion (Allium cepa) bulb though documented for man and some livestock but few studies in fish. Onion bulb slurry was administered to Clarias gariepinus juveniles at 200,100,25g/kg and 5, 1.5, 0.4g/l through diets and bath. Cellular immune response, humoral changes, liver and kidney function and histopathology of some visceral organs were examined. Proximate composition of the bulb was determined. Onion bulb revealed presence of carbohydrate (7.82%), protein (4.48%), crude fiber (1.68%), iron (0.5mg/l), magnesium (210mg/l), flavonoids (0.46%), saponins (0.28%), tannins (0.95%). PCV, Hb, RBC and WBC were increased in all treatments but values were higher in bath treatment for RBC (3.0×1012/L), PCV (32.7%), Hb (10.7%). MCV, MCH and MCHC showed similar trend. Similar trends as in RBC and WBC were observed in total proteins. Liver and kidney functionality as expressed by ALT, AST, ALP, creatinine and BUN exhibited no damaging effect on organs. Degenerations were observed in the hepatocytes and epithelia cells in the kidney in some treatments especially in bath treatments. In conclusion, onion bulb showed no toxicity in the blood parameters but dose should be considered to avoid harmful effect on liver and kidneys

Management of west African dwarf goats fed value-added cassava-based diets in semi humid zone of Nigeria

The need to assist the rural small ruminant farmers in the proper feeding of their animals brought about the formulation and recommendation of value-added cassava-based diet(s) which the low income rural farmers can adopt for the feeding of their West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. This was premised on the observation of the common practice of uninhibited feeding of goats on wastes of cassava (Manihot esculenta) in the cassava producing parts of the Nigeria, where cassava is a staple food and its peels are largely wasted. Value-added cassava diets were formulated with graded levels of cassava wastes, cowpea haulms, bone meal, sulphur and salt. Each ration was fed to an experimental and a control group of WAD goats for 16 weeks and the pathological effects monitored. There were progressive increases in the blood residual cyanide concentration values of the groups of goats fed formulated diets. No clinical manifestation of cyanide poisoning was observed in any of the goats treated with VAC diets but histology showed dilation of the tubular lumens, the most severe was observed in goats fed diet 4. VAC diets 1, 2 and 3 are recommended for goat feeding in rural communities due to minimal toxicity which can be minimised by incorporation of elemental sulphur or addition of sulphur-rich plants into the diets.Keywords: Antioxidant, Cyanide, Cassava-based diet, Goats, Rural farmers, Sulphu

Cardioprotective effects of Citrullus lanatus rinds in male wistar rats

Water melon, citrullus lanatus is a common edible fruit belongs to the family of cucumber (Cucurbitacea). The outer part of citrullus lanatus known as the rind is always discarded. This study investigated the effects of ethanol extract of citrullus lanatus rinds orally administered on some liver function enzymes, kidney function markers, cardiac risk ratio, and the atherogenic coefficient indices in male wistar rats. Twenty-five male Wistar&nbsp; albino rats were randomly distributed into five groups (I, II, III, IV and V) of five rats each received 0mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg and 800mg/kg of ethanol extract of Citrullus lanatus rinds respectively for 35days. The result showed that the effects of ethanol extract of citrullus lanatus rinds was not significant difference (p &gt; 0.05) in serum liver enzymes (Aspartate aminotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase, Alkaline phosphatase) in increasing dose dependent manner when compared with control group. There were no significant differences (p &gt; 0.05) in serum levels of urea and creatinine with increasing dose of ethanol extract of Citrullus lanatus rinds in rats when compared with control group. The extract showed significantly higher (p&lt; 0.05) values in the serum HDL, cholesterol but there were significant reduction (p&lt; 0.05) in the serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, VLDL and non-HDL values in rats at higher doses of the extract when compared with control group. While it was observed that the cardiac risk ratio, the atherogenic coefficient and indices decreased significantly (p&lt; 0.05) in rats at increasing doses of ethanol extract of Citrullus lanatus rinds when compared with control group. This may suggest a likely cardioprotective effects of ethanol extract of Citrullus lanatus rinds in increasing dose dependent manner in rats when compared with control group. In conclusion, it can be inferred that Citrullus lanatus rinds can be consumed by animals without detrimental effect. Keywords: Citrullus lanatus rinds, cardio-protective, rats

Determination of cyanide concentration in blood and histopathological effect of cassava waste-based feeding on goats

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a major staple food for both humans and animals and feeding goats with its waste is common practice in southwest Nigeria. However, it contains endogenous cyanogenic glycosides that are readily hydrolyzed to liberate hydrogen cyanide that is poisonous. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cassava waste (peels and leaves) on the kidney and liver of goats fed different inclusion level and determine the cyanide concentration in the blood of the goats. Ten West African dwarf male goats were divided into five groups and fed four diets of cassava waste ad-libitum for 16 weeks. Diet 1; 70% peels and 10% leaves, Diet 2; 50% peels and 20% leaves, Diet 3; 30% peels and 30% leaves, Diet 4; 10% peels and 40% leaves while the control were fed grass only. Blood samples were collected before the onset of the feeding, at the 8th week and 16th week. There were no clinical manifestation of cyanide poisoning in the animals and the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) shows that haematological and biochemical parameters were not significantly different (p&lt;0.05) across the 4 diets. High concentration of cyanide (80 ppm) was observed in the blood of animals fed Diet 4. Also the histopathological lesions of liver and kidney were more severe in animals fed Diet 4. The study therefore concludes that the high  concentration of cyanide and the severity of the histopathology finding in Diet 4 can be attributed to the higher level of cassava leaves in the diet and hence, the leaves should be further processed before been feeding to goats.Keywords: Cassava waste, Cyanide, Histopathology, Liver, Kidney, Goats. Determination du taux de cyanure dans le sang et effet histopathologique de l’alimentation a base de dechets de manioc sur les caprinsLe manioc (Manihot esculenta) est un aliment de base à la fois pour les humains et les animaux, et l’alimentation des chèvres avec les déchets de cette plante est une pratique courante dans le sud-ouest du Nigeria.  Cependant, le manioc contient des glycosides cyanogénétiquess  endogènes qui sont facilement hydrolysés pour libérer du cyanure d’hydrogène qui est toxique. Cette étude a pour objectif d’évaluer l’effet des déchets de manioc (pelures et feuilles) sur les reins et le foie des chèvres nourries à différents niveaux d’inclusion et de déterminer le taux de cyanure dans le sang des chèvres. Dix chèvres naines d’Afrique de l’Ouest ont été divisées en cinq groupes et nourries ad libitum pendant 16 semaines avec quatre régimes contenant des déchets de manioc. Le Régime 1 comportait 70% de pelures et 10% de feuilles ; le Régime 2 était constitué de 50% de pelures et 20% de feuilles ; le Régime 3 était composé de 30% de pelures et 30% de feuilles ; le Régime 4 comportait 10% de pelures et 40% de feuilles ; tandis que le régime témoin n’était constitué que d’herbe. Des échantillons de sang ont été prélevés avant le début de l’administration des régimes, à la 8ème semaine et à la 16ème semaine. On n’a noté aucune manifestation clinique d’intoxication au cyanure chez les animaux et l’Analyse de Variance (ANOVA) a montré que les paramètres hématologiques et biochimiques n’étaient pas  significativement différents (p &lt;0,05) dans les 4 régimes. Un taux élevé de cyanure (80 ppm) a été détecté dans le sang des animaux soumis au Régime 4. Les lésions histopathologiques du foie et des reins étaient plus sévères chez les animaux nourris au Régime 4. L’étude conclut donc que le taux élevé de cyanure et la sévérité du résultat histopathologique dans le régime 4 peut être attribué à une importante inclusion de feuilles de manioc dans le régime et, par conséquent, les feuilles doivent être traitées avant d’être données aux chèvres comme aliments.Mots-clés : déchets de manioc, Cyanure, Histopathologie, foie, rein, caprin

Activities of aqueous extracts of soursop (Annona muricata) leaves on immune response, haematology and serum biochemistry of broiler chickens

Poultry production worldwide is still challenged by diseases and researchers are continually searching for different means of combating the causative agents. Annona muricata's antiherpes and anticancer activities may be helpful in tackling Mareks disease of poultry birds. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of aqueous extract of Annona muricata leaves on the haematology, some liver enzymes, body weight gain and immuneresponse to Newcastle disease vaccination in broilers at dosages of 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg. Twenty (20) Marshall Broilers which were 35days old at the start of the experiment were used; the chicks were divided into 4 groups. The aqueous extract of Annona muricata leaves was administered orally for 14days; Blood and serum samples were collected at the beginning and end of experiment. Haematology, some liver enzymes test and haemagglutinition inhibition (HI) test against Newcastle disease vaccination was carried out. A significant (p&lt;0.05) decreased in antibody titre against Newcastle disease vaccine was observed in only the group of birds fed with 200mg/kg of the extract. Birds fed with 200mg/kg of the extract had the highest values of packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin(Hb), red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) count but there was no significant difference (p&lt;0.05) in these values in comparison to the control group. There was no significant difference (p&lt;0.05) in the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) between treated and control groups. Therefore, aqueous extract of Annona muricata reduces immune response toNewcastle disease vaccine at 200mg/kg dosage but does not have any deleterious effect against the haematology and liver functions of birds fed with doses as high as 200mg/kg.Keywords: Annona muricata, haematology, serum biochemistry, immune response, chicke

Effects of aqueous leaf extract of Acalypha wilkesiana on semen morphology and characteristics in male Wistar albino rats

To study the effect of the aqueous leaf extract of Acalypha wilkesiana (Euphorbiaceae) on some reproductive parameters of male Wistar albino rats,&nbsp; three groups (A, B and C) of six rats each were treated with 400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg/day of leaf extract of Acalypha wilkesiana, respectively for 28 days while 5 mLs/kg of distilled water was given to the control group D. At the end of the experimental period, animals were sacrificed and sperm characteristics, histology of the testes and epididymis were assessed. Sperm motility (80.00+7.0, 75.00+2.9), sperm count (82.75+2.7, 76.50+3.8) and&nbsp; sperm live/dead (96.00+2.0, 94.50+1.7) were not significantly reduced (P&lt;0.05) at the dosages of 400 and 800 mg/kg Acalypha wilkesiana leaf extract, respectively. did not have any significant reduction (P&lt;0.05) in, but significant (P&lt;0.05) reductions in sperm count (71.50+3.5*) was observed at 1600 mg/kg dose. Also, significant (P&lt;0.05) increase in morphological abnormalities of the spermatozoa were only observed in the 1600 mg/kg treated&nbsp; group of rats. Histopathological evaluation of the testis and revealed varying degrees of degeneration and necrosis of the germinal epithelia cell of the seminiferous tubules and spermiostasis, whereas no significant lesion was seen in the epididymis. The high dose of the leaf extract of Acalypha wilkesiana may have significant anti-spermatogenic effects on adult male Wistar rats. Keywords: extract, leaf extract of Acalypha wilkesiana, rats, sperm

Diabetogenic potential of dexamethasone and effect Annona muricata methanolic bark extract as post-exposure therapy in albino rats

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder leading to high level of morbidity and mortality in human population and it has been identified as the leading cause of death from non- nfectious diseases. The use of dexamethasone has been on the increase due to widearray of therapeutic effects it&nbsp; has and the use has mostly been without prescription, since it is a non- prescription drug. Therefore, the potential of dexamethasone to induce DM&nbsp; was studied. Some of the drugs currently used in the treatment of diabetes have their own problematic effects and also expensive, Annona muricata methanolic bark extract (AMMBE) was used in the treatment of dexamethasone-induced diabetes in rats. The research was carried out on albino rats in Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Ibadan and lasted for twenty-eight (28) days. The rats were allotted into four groups (A, B, C and D). Group B, C and D were induced with glucocorticoid (Dexamethasone) (2mgkg-1) daily for seven (7) days intraperitoneally,&nbsp; while group A which was the positive control were given distilled water throughout without induction with glucocorticoid. Group B (the negative control) was induced with glucocorticoid with no AMMBE administration. Group C, was induced and treated with AMMBE at 400 mgkg-1for 14 days. While Group D, was induced with glucocorticoid and were treated with the standard drug (glibenclamide) at 2.5mgkg-1body weight of the rats daily&nbsp; for 14 days. Organ samples of liver, kidney and pancreas were collected for histopathological lesions Evaluation. The result showed that&nbsp; dexamethasone induced diabetes after seven (7) days of intraperitoneal administration of 2 mgkg-1 body weights with the glucometer readings in most of the albino rats up to and above 129 mgdL-1. The average blood sugar levels in induced groups (B, C and D) were 132.0±4.05, 129.0±1.41&nbsp; and130.0±2.93, respectively which were not statistically significant (P&gt;0.05). After administration of AMMBE, the average blood sugar level for group B (126.0±1.41) was significantly different (P&lt;0.05) from C (91.0±1.72) and D (87.0±2.97). Clinical signs of alopecia, dehydration, writhing, paw-licking were observed. There were massive losses of pancreatic cell mass grossly after induction with dexamethasone. Histopathological lesions observed&nbsp; ranges from no visible lesion in the control and glibenclamide treated groups to accentuation of hepatocytes in the AMMBE treated rats, and marked vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes in periportal areas to centrilobular area with Kidney degeneration and multifocal coagulation&nbsp; necrosis of tubular epithelium in group induced with dexamethasone but untreated (group B) degeneration, multifoci coagulation and necrosis. The blood sugar levels post exposure to AMMBE and Glibenclamide showed reduction in the sugar levels. It could be concluded that dexamethasone has the potential of inducing diabetes when its use is prolonged and AMMBE has antidiabetic effect which could be fully explored. Keywords: Dexamethasone, Diabetes mellitus, Annona muricata, Albino rats, Histopatholog

Lethal Doses and Histopathological Changes in Liver and Kidney of Healthy Clarias gariepinus Sub-adult Exposed to Red Allium cepa Linn. Bulb

Adverse effects of Allium cepa bulb has been well overlooked because it is natural and assumed safe. This study investigated the lethal doses and histopathological changes in liver and kidney of healthy Clarias gariepinus sub-adult exposed to red Allium cepa bulb at varying concentrations (200, 150, 100, 50 and 25 g/kg) of A. cepa via diet and bath (5, 3, 1.5, 0.7 and 0.4 g/L) for two weeks. Specimens were sacrificed, liver and kidneys collected, processed and examined for histopathological changes. Proximate analysis, qualitative and quantitative phytochemistry was determined using standard methods. Brine Shrimp lethality assay (BSLA), LD50 and LC50 of the onion on experimental fish were investigated. Saponins, tannins, phenols, flavonoids and alkaloids were present. LC50 of the onion extract was between 0. 51 mg and 0.64 mg in the BSLA while mean LD50 and LC50 for dietary and bath treatments were 447.1 g/kg and 12.2 g/L. Liver histopathology showed vacuolar degeneration of the hepatocytes and congestion of central vein, while necrosis of the epithelial cells and haemosiderosis were observed in the kidney at high concentrations. Allium cepa is safe in fish when administered in lower dose either through diet or bath exposure but was toxic at high dose