Anatomical classifications of accessory symphyseal foramina in infants, juveniles and adults raccoon (Procyonoides nyctereutes) mandibles

The aim of this investigation was to assess the pattern of occurrence of accessory foramina in infants, juveniles and adult raccoons (Procyonoides nyctereutes). The study utilized a total of forty (40) mandibles including thirteen (13) infantile (pups), twelve (12) juveniles and fifteen (15) adult mandibles , studied grossly for frequency, position and diameter of the foramina. In 80% of the evaluated adult mandibles, at least one accessory foramen was found and superolaterally located. In all juveniles (100%) at least one accessory foramen was present, and located mostly near the midline about half - way of the symphyseal length while in pups (94%) at least a foramen was present, and in all cases located at or near the sympyseal line (rostral third or caudal third) to the dorsal ridge but never central. Five distinct co-existence types were used in their classification into foramina as categories I a-d, II a-c, III, IV and V. The frequency, size and location varied between the age groups; category 1 types occurred in 33%, 33% and 30% of adults, juveniles and pups respectively, category II in 33%, 42% and 54%; category III, 3.8%, 2.2% and 5.8%; category IV,1.9%, 4.4% and  11.7%; category V, 3.8%, 2.2% and 0%; respectively. Accessory symphyseal foramina are structural occurrences in raccoon mandible with size, frequency and position variations depending on classification type. There were no significant variations in the accessory symphyseal foramina assessed within pups. This work gives base line information on the phenotypes of accessory mental foramen in post natal development in the raccoons.Keywords: Raccoons, Mandibles, Accessory foramina, Symphyseal ridg

Some aspects of the neurocraniometry of the African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse)

Sixteen African giant rats (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse), consisting of 8 male and 8 female rats, were used to determine neurocranial measurements of the skulls. The mean neurocranial volume was 5.06 &#177; 0.05 mL, neurocranial length was 3.33 &#177; 0.08 cm, and the neurocranial height and index were 1.39 &#177; &#177; 0.04 cm and 41.74%, respectively. The mean whole skull length and height were 6.32 &#177; 0.06 cm and 2.98 &#177; 0.05 cm, respectively. The skull without the mandible was 1.83 &#177; 0.02 cm in height, and the skull index was 28.41 &#177; 0.58. The height of the skull of the African giant was approximately half (47%) of the skull length. The mean height and width of the foramen magnum were 0.78 &#177; &#177; 0.01 cm and 0.96 &#177; 0.02 cm, respectively, while the foramen index was below 100 at 81.46 &#177; 1.42. Parameters for the whole skull height and foramen magnum width showed significant difference between both sexes at p < 0.05. The foramen magnum showed shape variations and there were multiple hypoglossal foramina in over 87% of the rats. This study, in conclusion, highlighted the possibility of the estimation of the brain density and the use of the African giant rat for cranial pressure experiments

The Effect of Alpha Tocopherol on Body Organs of Neonatal Rats Exposed to Vanadium

The objective of this work was to investigate the effects of \u3b1-Tocopherol (vitamin E) on the organs of neonatal rats exposed to Vanadium. Organ histology show that vanadium through lactation induced pathological changes including congestion and haemorrhages at the renal cortex, severe diffuse vacuolar degeneration of the hepatocytes, peribronchiolar hemorrhage, interstitial congestion and proliferation of pneumocytes. Also, the testes of the pups revealed slight reduction in germinal epithelium with the destruction of the spermatogenic cells although the interstitial connective tissue appeared relatively unaffected. The pups whose dams were treated with vanadium and \u3b1-Tocopherol displayed morphology similar to control in these organs. In this study however, no striking distinguishing difference was observed in the heart, thymus and spleen of lactating pups exposed to vanadium when compared to controls. We conclude that \u3b1-Tocopherol treatment of vanadium exposed mothers may also be beneficial at least in part in the protection of the organs of lactating offspring

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&plusmn;1.3 cm, 90&plusmn;16 g, 4.6&plusmn;0.58 cm, 13&plusmn;1.3 cm, 13&plusmn;1.3 cm, 8.7&plusmn;1.5 cm, 8.7&plusmn;1.4 cm, 0.98&plusmn;0.12 cm, 0.96&plusmn;0.13 cm and 19.51&plusmn;2.89 cm respectively, while the mean brain weight, mean brain length, cerebrum and cerebellum lengths, brain and cerebellar heights were 84&plusmn;12 g, 6.9&plusmn;1.5 cm, 4.9&plusmn;1.7 cm, 2.2&plusmn;1.0 cm, 5.2&plusmn;0.88 cm and 3.0&plusmn;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 &lt; 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

Correlative Analysis of Cortical Concentrations of Some Metals and Crude Protein in the Brain of Goats

Correlative studies were done on the metal and protein concentrations in the brain cortex of the West African Dwarf and Red Sokoto breeds of goats in Nigeria. Positive correlations (either at 0.01 or 0.05) was found amongst some metals notably Mg and Ca, Mg and Zn, Ca and Mn while negative correlations was observed between AI and Fe, AI and Co amongst others. Female goats in both breeds were found to have more correlative interplay amongst their cortical metal and crude protein levels than their male counterparts. The brain samples apparently displayed a homeostatic balance in the relationship between Pb and Cu and Zn and Cu. The interplay of the metals and protein in the cortex was discussed as vital baseline in comparism with goats under different systems of management

Prelimnary observations on trace element contents of the skin and pelage of west African dwarf (wad) goat

Studies in the content of magnesium [Mg], copper [Cu] and zinc [Zn] were carried in the skin andhair of4 West African Dwarf goats. Each of the elements was found to be more abundant in the hair than in the skin. For each of the elements also there were differences in quantity from one region of the body to another. Some of these differences were significant at the 95% confidence level. On the whole magnesium was the most abundant followed by zinc and copper in that order. These findings are discussed in relation to the roles these elements play in ensuring the integrity and normal functioning of the skin and pelage of the animal

Distribution of cobalt, manganese and iron in the skin and hair of West African Dwarf sheep and goats in Nigeria

The distribution of cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) was investigated in the skin and hair of 16 West African Dwarf sheep and goats. All three trace elements were present in varying amounts in both tissues. There were, however, some regional intra- and interspecies differences Some of these differences were found to be statistically significant. These findings are discussed with reference to their possible implications for cutaneous manifestation of deficiency and other disease syndromes in the animals

Further studies on canine erythrocyte fragility in the tropical subregion: the effects of sodium pentobarbitone anaesthesia in Nigerian dogs

The osmotic fragilities of the red blood cells of 5 local dogs were determined before and during sodium pentobarbitone anaesthesia using different concentrations of sodium chloride solution. It was observed that before the anaesthesia, the osmotic fragility decreased with increasing concentration of sodium chloride solution, exhibiting a sharp drop from a high (43%) at 0.5% to a low (19%) at 0.6%. Between 0.6 - 0.9% saline concentrations, the decrease in osmotic fragility was rather more gradual. Under anaesthesia, the Osmotic Fragility curve was shifted to the right of the pre-anaesthesia level. The pattern of response was however basically the same- decreasing value with increasing concentration of saline solution. The increases in osmotic fragility values recorded during anaesthesia over those of the pre-anaesthesia levels were significant (P < 0.05) for saline concentrations 0.5% - 0.8%. The values of some other hematological parameters such as the PCV, Hb, RBC and WBC only showed insignificant decreases. It was concluded that veterinary practitioners employing sodium pentobarbitone as anaesthetic agent should exercise more caution than hitherto

Lipolytic effect of Calotropis procera in the skin of wistar rats

Histopathological studies of skin samples from Wistar rats treated once daily for four weeks with 20mg/gm body weight of the fresh leaf extract of Calotropis procera by the oral route showed significant degeneration of adipose tissue in the hypodermis and partial degeneration of the dermis at the site of merging with the hypodermis. No significant histological changes were, however, observed in the stratified squamous epithelium of the epidermis. Hair follicles and sebaceous glands were not affected. It was concluded from these observations that the subcutaneous layer was the one mainly affected by the treatment with the leaf extract

Evidence of Environmental Pollution in Caprine Brains obtained from a Relatively Unindustrialized Area in Nigeria.

The concentration of metals (Iron-Fe, Zinc-Zn, Copper-Cu, Aluminum-Al, Molybdenum-Mo, Vanadium-Va, and Lead-Pb) in the different regions of the brain of goats in a relatively unindustrialized area in Nigeria was investigated using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The highest mean concentration of 98.66ppm was for Fe in the olfactory bulb while the least of 0.07ppm was for Mo in the thalamus. The levels of Zn and Fe showed the highest significant differences across the different regions of the brain examined. All the metals analysed showed relatively high concentrations in the olfactory bulb suggesting ongoing environmental pollution. The findings suggest that this type of investigation in the brain of goats or other animals can assist in knowing the level of human exposure to environmental pollutants (especially metals) in non-industrialized areas. They can also be compared with similar data obtained from animals in known polluted environments in extrapolating the level of pollution in such areas