Synergetic responses of haematopoietic hormones on dietary protein supplementation in phlebotomized New Zealand white rabbits

Background: Nutrition plays an important role in the management of blood dyscrasia due liver and kidney diseases. These disease conditions are usually accompanied by haematopathology which requires separate managements. There is need to provide information on the role that major components of the diet play in these conditions. This study compared at intervals, the values of erythropoietin and thrombopoietin in phlebotomized New Zealand white rabbits. Aim: To determine the levels of haematopoietic hormones (erythropoietin and thrombopoietin) in phlebotomised New Zealand white rabbits maintained on protein rich and hypoproteic diets. Materials and Methods: Twenty (20) New Zealand white rabbits were maintained on a diet containing 30% Protein for a period of four weeks (BASELINE), bled and grouped (TREATMENT) as follows A (n=5)– hypoproteic diet, B (n=5)–30% Protein rich diet, C (n=5)–hypoproteic diet (Phlebotomized), D (n=5)–30% Protein (Phlebotomized). Blood samples were obtained from the marginal earvein of the Rabbits after the period of acclimatization (4 weeks) to obtain baseline data. The animals were maintained on the indicated feed and also bled every other day to reduce the haematocrit by 20% and determine erythropoietin and thrombopoietin levels. The animals were sacrificed and the kidney and liver were harvested for histological studies. Result: There was a significant decrease (p≤0.05) in the response of thrombopoietin and erythropoietin in New Zealand white rabbits fed with hypoproteic diet as compared to those fed with protein rich (30% protein) diet. Conclusion: The outcome of this study suggests that dietary protein supplementation can improve blood dyscrasia resulting from active bleeding, malnutrition and thrombocytopenia caused by increased platelet loss due to bleeding. Keywords: New Zealand White rabbits, Dietary Protein, Thrombopoietin, Erythropoietin, Phlebotomy

PROTEIN CONTENTS OF MAIZE VARIETIES AS INFLUENCED BY NITROGEN AND MICRONUTRIENTS

Field experiments were conducted in 2008 and 2009 in the Guinea Savanna ecology of Nigeria to investigate the protein content of maize varieties (Quality Protein Maize QPM and normal varieties) as influenced by nitrogen fertilizer and micronutrients. The treatments were four rates of inorganic fertilizer N (0, 50, 100, 150kgNha-1) and two rates of cocktail micronutrient (Fe, Zn, B, Mo, and Cu). These were tested in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications and the treatments were laid out in factorial design. The results from the study revealed that micronutrients rate of 22.85g/ha applied increased the lysine and tryptophan content of the QPM varieties. The result also showed that addition of nitrogen fertilizer and micronutrients increased the crude protein content of the maize varieties and so also with micronutrients addition the QPM varieties differed significantly from each other with respect to lysine and tryptophan contents (P< 0.05). It can be inferred from this that though normal maize and QPM varieties could be exposed to the same environmental conditions and take up same amounts of micronutrients, the QPM varieties have genetic capacity to synthesize high levels of amino acids and so would have nutritionally higher quality grains. Plant breeders therefore may find this attribute useful in genetic manipulation and cultivar development to enhance protein biochemical component