Effects of different planes of meat offals and soybean meal on the morphological characteristics of West African dwarf buck’s spermiogram

Twenty healthy West African dwarf goats aged between 18 and 24 months old weighing 13-15 kg were assigned randomly to four groups (T1-T4). The experiment lasted for 14 weeks and animals were fed on concentrate containing varying levels of meat offal and soybean meal. Group T1 was fed on 100% soybean meal, group T2 was fed on 35% meat offal and 65% soybean meal, group T3 was fed on 70% meat offal and 30% soybean meal, while group T4 was fed on 100% meat offal. Semen samples were collected from the animals with a weekly interval between collections. Morphological characteristics and concentration of the sperm cells were analyzed. Primary, secondary and tertiary abnormalities were present in all four groups. Secondary abnormalities were the highest to occurr in all these three categories. Looped tail was the highest to occur in all the groups, with group T4 having the highest number and percentage of this abnormality. There was no significant difference among the groups for looped tail abnormality (P<0.05). Also, there was no significant difference (P<0.05) among the four groups for total secondary abnormalities observed during the experiment. Primary abnormality of rudimentary tail in-group T3 was the highest to occur among the four groups, even though there was no significant difference (P<0.05) in the total number of primary abnormalities present. Tertiary abnormalities of stumpy tail were the highest occurring among the groups; there was no significant difference (P<0.05) in the total number of tertiary abnormalities. The total percentage of abnormalities i.e. primary, secondary and tertiary for groups T1-T4 were 8.15%, 6.63%, 11.47% and 9.02%, respectively. The values obtained in each group are less than the 20% abnormalities recommended for effective performance. It can therefore be concluded that soybean meal and meat offal as a source of protein in animals have no negative effect on the morphological characteristics and breeding performance of West African dwarf goat bucks

Coconut Milk - Citrate As Extender For West African Dwarf Buck Spermatozoa At Room Temperature

We studied the proportions of coconut milk and sodium citrate buffer suitable for extension of West African dwarf (WAD) buck spermatozoa at room temperature. Semen was collected from clinically healthy buck certified free of obvious andrological defects. Eight trials of semen extension were carried out using 0.1 ml of semen plus 0.5 ml buffer as individual extender. In the extenders D1 to D7, while the buffer (sodium citrate) was decreasing, the coconut milk was increasing. Statistical analyses from 5 trials showed that D2 containing 20% coconut milk and 80% citrate buffer that supported mean sperm cell motility of 52.6% was highly significant (p = 0.018) at 2 hours post-extension in preserving motility of extended buck semen un-refrigerated compared to both D3 (40% coconut milk and 60% citrate buffer) and D4 (50% coconut milk and 50% citrate buffer). D2 also maintained mean sperm cell motility of 45% and was highly superior (p = 0.012) to both D3 and D4 at 3 hours post-extension. However, in D2, there was no statistical difference (p = 0.693) between 2 hours and 3 hours storage time in mean motility of extended sperm cells. Similarly, there was no difference (p = 0.106) in mean sperm cell motility between D2 at 3 hours and D3 at 2 hours post extension. We concluded therefore, that D2 was superior to others with which it was compared; and that it preserved extended buck semen for more than 2 hours storage at room temperature

Dystocia in a ten month old West African Dwarf goat sequelae to faulty breeding practice

Breeding of underage animals, though not encouraged in animal husbandry is still very common due to poor management systems in local settings in Nigeria. Although the worldwide incidence of dystocia in small ruminants is low (&lt;4 %), it is still one of the most presented cases in veterinary clinics. A ten month old female West African Dwarf (WAD) goat was presented at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Ibadan with complaint of difficult labour noticed two days prior to presentation. No medication or assistance was given before presentation at the clinic. It was reported that the animal was primiparous and was kept a under semi-intensive management system with other goats. On clinical examination, an oversize foetal head was stuck in the cervix with a left-lateral deviation of the head complicated by unilateral shoulder flexion. The fetus was dead as a brownish pungent smell was dripping from the nose and mouth. This article describes emergency caesarian section in an underage doe due to absolute fetal oversize

Antihypertensive action of Launaea taraxacifolia and its molecular mechanism of action

Launaea taraxacifolia has been traditionally used for the management of conditions such as cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic diseases. High blood pressure was established by oral administration of L-Nitro Arginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME) a non-selective inhibitor of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). The antihypertensive action of the methanol leaf extract of L. taraxacifolia was examined. Fifty male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups of 10 animals per group: Group A (Distilled water), Group B (Hypertensive rats; 40mg/kg L-NAME), Group C (Hypertensive rats plus 100 mg/kg extract), Group D (Hypertensive rats plus 200 mg/kg extract) and Group E (Hypertensive rats plus 10mg/kg of Lisinopril). The treatments were orally administered for five weeks. Haemodynamic parameters, urinalysis, indices of oxidative stress and immunohistochemistry were determined. Findings from this study showed that blood pressure parameters, urinary sodium and indices of oxidative stress increased significantly while Invivo antioxidant defence systems decreased significantly in hypertensive rats. Immunohistochemistry revealed significant increases in expressions of mineralocorticoid receptor, angiotensin converting enzyme activity and kidney injury molecule-1 in kidney of hypertensive rats. Treatment with Launeae taraxacifolia normalized blood pressure parameters, urinary sodium, oxidative stress indices, antioxidant defence system, and serum nitric oxide bioavailability.https://www.pjps.pk/homeam2023Paraclinical Science

Clofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-alpha (PPARα) agonist, and Its molecular mechanisms of action against sodium fluoride–induced toxicity

AVAILABILITY OF DATA AND MATERIALS : Data will be made available based on request from the corresponding author.Sodium fluoride (NaF) is one of the neglected environmental pollutants. It is ubiquitously found in the soil, water, and environment. Interestingly, fluoride has been extensively utilized for prevention of dental caries and tartar formation, and may be added to mouthwash, mouth rinse, and toothpastes. This study is aimed at mitigating fluoride-induced hypertension and nephrotoxicity with clofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-alpha (PPARα) agonist. For this study, forty male Wistar rats were used and randomly grouped into ten rats per group, control, sodium fluoride (NaF; 300 ppm) only, NaF plus clofibrate (250 mg/kg) and NaF plus lisinopril (10 mg/kg), respectively, for 7 days. The administration of NaF was by drinking water ad libitum, while clofibrate and lisinopril were administered by oral gavage. Administration of NaF induced hypertension, and was accompanied with exaggerated oxidative stress; depletion of antioxidant defence system; reduced nitric oxide production; increased systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure; activation of angiotensin-converting enzyme activity and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB); and testicular apoptosis. Treatment of rats with clofibrate reduced oxidative stress, improved antioxidant status, lowered high blood pressure through the inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme activity, mineralocorticoid receptor over-activation, and abrogated testicular apoptosis. Taken together, clofibrate could offer exceptional therapeutic benefit in mitigating toxicity associated with sodium fluoride.Cape Peninsula University of Technology and National Research Foundation (South Africa).https://link.springer.com/journal/12011hj2023Paraclinical Science

Gonadosomatic index, epididymal mass index and haematology of male Wistar rat treated with carrot juice

This study investigated the haematology, Gonadosomatic Index (GSI) and Epididymal Mass Index (EMI) of male Wistar rats treated with carrot juice. Carrot has been evaluated for a wide spectrum of activities including; wound healing, gastroprotective effect, Hepatoprotective effects against carbon tetrachloride intoxication in mouse liver cells. Morphometric analysis on the testis of any species or breed is necessary for assessing and estimating quantitative changes in testicular component and spermatogenic functions arising from factors such as age, season, temperature and diseases. Nutrition has some influence on testicular parameters and gonadal sperm reserves. Thirty-five (35) albino rats (Wistar strain) were used for this study. They were grouped into three: group A (treated with 4.08g of carrot juice), group B (treated with 8.16g) and group C (control) and were treated for 7 days. Blood and semen samples were collected on day 1, day 8, and day 15. The result revealed a significant increase in GSI and EMI for group B when compared to group A and group C this increase was due to an increase in the dose of the juice given to group B animals. There was also an increase in lymphocytes for the treatment group on day 1 post-treatment. In conclusion, carrot juice works more effectively after treatment with 8.16g/ kg body weight to improve male reproductive potentials thus found to be more effective to improve spermatogenesis or Gonadosomatic Index and Epididymal Mass Inde

Semen characteristics and sperm morphological studies of the West African Dwarf Buck treated with Aloe vera gel extract

Background: Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis miller) is an evergreen perennial plant widely used in modern herbal practice and is often available in proprietary herbal preparations.Objective: This study was designed to investigate the semen picture and spermatozoa morphology of West African Dwarf (WAD) bucks treated with Aloe vera extract.Materials and Methods: Twelve sexually matured WAD bucks, weighing between 11 and 15 kg, were used for the study. The bucks were first used as control (pre-treatment) and later as two groups of six animals each. The first six bucks received 10 mls of the 3% extract while the other six received 10 mls of the 4% of the extract for a 7 day period. Semen was collected from both the 3 and 4% extract treated bucks for the control (pre-treatment), on days eight (first week post-treatment) and fifteen (second week post-treatment) in each case using the electroejaculation method. The spermiogram of the bucks were investigated using standard procedures. Data obtained were analyzed using two way ANOVA and significance reported at p<0.05.Results: The continuous administration of Aloe vera extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced sperm concentration, motility and percentage livability and resulted in increased sperm abnormalities in the WAD buck.Conclusion: Aloe vera adversely affected the spermiogram of bucks. The plant can reduce fertility in male animals and is therefore not recommended for medicinal purpose in male animals especially those used for breeding

Incidence and consequence of surgical removal of gastric foreign bodies in West African Dwarf goats in Ibadan

Gastric Foreign Body (GFB) in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats increased in cases presented to Ruminant section of a tertiary Veterinary institution. This study evaluates incidence and effects of surgical removal of GFB in WAD goats. Ambulatory cases during the dry season, cases presented to the Ruminant section and WAD goats acquired for this study were evaluated. GFB in the study goats were removed surgically and blood collected for both haematology and biochemistry weekly for three weeks after. Prevalence in ambulatory cases (n=809) was 43%, in cases presented to the clinic (n=70), 73% and the nineteen goats purchased for the study had nylon GFB (100%). The study revealed a significant neutrophilia following removal of nylon GFB. The blood biochemistry also revealed significant difference (p&lt;0.05) in AST between the second and pre-surgical treatment, one and third week values. Protein values were also significantly different (p&lt;0.05) in the first week to other values. These suggest that removal of nylon GFB causes significant changes in blood and biochemistry postoperatively. Thus removal of GFB in WAD goats requires post-operative nursing care. Enforcement of legislation to discourage littering with nylon and feed supplementation during scarcity of forage may reduce incidence of GFB in WAD goats.Keywords: Nylon gastric foreign body, Incidence, Surgical removal, West African Dwarf goa

Semen characteristics and sperm morphological studies of the West African Dwarf Buck treated with Aloe vera gel extract

Background: Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis miller) is an evergreen perennial plant widely used in modern herbal practice and is often available in proprietary herbal preparations. Objective: This study was designed to investigate the semen picture and spermatozoa morphology of West African Dwarf (WAD) bucks treated with Aloe vera extract. Materials and Methods: Twelve sexually matured WAD bucks, weighing between 11 and 15 kg, were used for the study. The bucks were first used as control (pre-treatment) and later as two groups of six animals each. The first six bucks received 10 mls of the 3% extract while the other six received 10 mls of the 4% of the extract for a 7 day period. Semen was collected from both the 3 and 4% extract treated bucks for the control (pre-treatment), on days eight (first week post-treatment) and fifteen (second week post-treatment) in each case using the electroejaculation method. The spermiogram of the bucks were investigated using standard procedures. Data obtained were analyzed using two way ANOVA and significance reported at p< 0.05. Results: The continuous administration of Aloe vera extract significantly (p < 0.05) reduced sperm concentration, motility and percentage livability and resulted in increased sperm abnormalities in the WAD buck. Conclusion: Aloe vera adversely affected the spermiogram of bucks. The plant can reduce fertility in male animals and is therefore not recommended for medicinal purpose in male animals especially those used for breedin