Morphological alteration of seminiferous tubules of testes of Wistar rat offspring exposed to alcohol during pregnancy and/or lactation

This paper presents the effects of alcohol on the morphology of seminiferous tubules of testes of Wistar rat offspring exposed to alcohol during pregnancy and/or lactation. Seventy five adult female Wistar rats divided into 3 groups of 25 each and their offsprings were used. The offspring of group 1 served as control, those of group 2 were exposed to 2 g/kg body weight of 30% ethanol (v/v) during pregnancy and lactation (APL) while those of group 3 were exposed to the same dose of ethanol during lactation only (AL). At Day (D) 7, 14, 21, 35 and 49 of postnatal life, 5 male offspring were randomly selected from the three groups and sacrificed. After the sacrifice, the two testes were dissected out and then prepared for routine histological evaluation. The result of the study showed that the seminiferous epithelia of the testes of the alcohol-exposed groups were characterized by few adluminal as well as defoliated germ cells. The result further showed significant reduction (P<0.05) in the diameter of the seminiferous tubules of the testes in alcohol-exposed groups. This histomorphometric effects which persisted into adulthood may have implications on the fertility of male offspring of dams who abuse alcohol during pregnancy and/or lactation.Keywords: Alcohol, pregnancy, lactation, testes, histomorphometry, Wistar rat

Comparative evaluation of the sperm characteristics and morphology of adult Wistar rats fed either low or normal protein-energy diets and orally dosed with aqueous Cuscuta australis extracts

Summary: Cuscuta australis (C. australis) seed and stem are commonly used as dietary supplements in a maize-meal, “Ogi”, by the local population for the management of male and female reproductive dysfunctions. This study, as a part of on-going efforts, therefore, evaluated and compared the effects of Low Protein-energy (LP) and Normal Protein-energy (NP) diets on the sperm morphology and characteristics of adult Wistar rats orally dosed aqueous extracts of C. australis seed (LPSE and NPSE) and stem (LPST and NPST), 300mg of extract/kg body weight of rat/day, for seven days. The control groups (LPWA and NPWA) received vehicle, water. Live-dead ratio and percentage of sperms with curved tail were significantly decreased (p<0.01) in the NPST relative to the NPWA, LPWA, LPST, NPSE and LPSE. Total abnormal sperm counts, acephalic sperms and tailless head sperms were significantly decreased (p<0.001, p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively) in the LPST and NPST relative to LPSE, NPSE, LPWA and NPWA. The LPSE, LPST and NPST showed significantly decreased (p<0.05) percentages of sperms with either bent mid-piece or curved mid-piece relative to the LPWA. Significantly decreased (p<0.05) percentage of sperms with curved mid-piece was also observed in the NPSE relative to LPWA. Protein-energy diet significantly influenced (at least p<0.05) the effect of each extract on sperm motility and percentage of sperms with curved tail. Stem extract significantly decreased (p<0.01) the percentages of acephalic sperms and tailless head sperms. Diet-stem extract interaction significantly influenced (p<0.05) live-dead ratio. Our data suggest that orally administered aqueous extracts of C. australis generally enhanced the sperm morphology and characteristics of the male Wistar rat and that the stem extract maintained sperm morphology better than the seed extract. It also showed that the stem extract decreased live-dead ratio and that the efficacy of orally administered aqueous C. australis stem extract may be affected by variations in dietary protein-energy levels.Keywords: Cuscuta australis, protein-energy malnutrition, spermiogram, sperm morpholog

Weights and linear measurements of the body and some organs of the adult male and female African white bellied tree pangolins (<i>Manis tricuspis</i>)

The absolute weights of the body, heart, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, liver, gonads, digestive tract and adrenal glands, as well as the absolute linear measurements of the body, digestive tract and oviduct were determined in adult female and male African white-bellied tree pangolins. The relative weights, relative lengths and weight per unit length were derived from the relevant data. Statistical analyses of sex effect showed that all the organs, except the length of the oesophagus relative to the nose-tail length (

Influence of lactation on some plasma biochemical parameters in N'dama and white Fulani cows

Plasma samples obtained from thirty-three non-pregnant non-lactating and lactating N`Dama and White Fulani cows at Oyo, Nigeria, were analysed to determine the influence of lactation on some biochemical parameters between and within breeds. The plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline phosphatase(AP) gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (y-GT), creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), albumin-globulin ratio (A:G), sodium(Na), potassium(K) sodium-potassium ratio (Na:K), chloride(Cl), bicarbonate(HCO3), calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphate (PO4), triglycerides and cholesterol showed no significant differences(P>0.05) within and between the two breeds of cattle. The plasma levels of total protein and globulins did not differ significantly within breed but differed significantly (P<0.05) between the non-lactating White Fulani and the two N'dama groups. The relationships between plasma concentrations of albumin and globulin as well as between albumin and total protein were positive, albeit non-significantly, in all groups of the two breeds of cattle while those of globulins and total protein were very significant (P<.001) and positive in the White Fulani and non-lactating N'dama groups. Lactation appears to have had a pronounced effect on the plasma concentrations of total protein and globulins of the White Fulani cows than the N'dama cows. It also may have altered the relationship between plasma total protein and globulins in N'dama cows. Keywords: Lactation, White Fulani, N'dama, plasma, Biochemical parameters

Biochemical changes in the plasma of pregnant crossbred sows (Sus domesticus)

The plasma concentrations of Na, K, Cl, HCO3, inorganic PO4, Ca, urea creatinine, uric acid, total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin/globulin ratio (A:G), cholesterol and triglycerides of Large White x Landrace x Hampshire sows were determined during oestrus, first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy and lactation. The plasma level of each parameter during oestrus was compared with the levels in the other phases. Plasma concentrations of globulin, total protein and creatinine increased during the first trimester (at least P<0.05) while the A:G decreased (P<0.01). The plasma concentrations of lipids, globulin, creatinine and Na were increased significantly while A:G decreased very significantly during the second trimester (P<0.05) and (P<0.01 respectively). Plasma Na concentration increased during the third trimester (P<0.01) while the bicarbonate level declined post-farrowing (P<0.05). Plasma cholesterol and triglycerides were positively and very significantly correlated throughout pregnancy. Uric acid was positively, albeit non-significantly, correlated with lipids during pregnancy and lactation but negatively correlated with lipids during oestrus. Monitoring plasma concentrations of A:G, total protein, total globulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, Na and HCOs might be useful in pregnancy diagnosis and monitoring in a pig herd. Key words: Biochemical changes, plasma, pregnant sow

Morphophysiological evidence for delay in puberty in female Wistar rats whose dams were exposed to alcohol during pregnancy and/or lactation

The effect of maternal alcohol consumption on the growth of the ovary and follicle- stimulating hormone were investigated in female rat offspring whose dams were exposed to alcohol during pregnancy and/or lactation. Three groups of virgin female rats comprising of 25 each and 15 male Wistar rats were used to produce 75 female offspring used in the investigation. The offspring of group 1 served as control while the offspring of group 2 was exposed to 2 g/kg body weight of 30% ethanol (v/v) in water during pregnancy and lactation (APL) while those of group 3 were exposed to the same dose of ethanol during lactation only (AL). At Day (D)7, D14, D21, D35 and D49 of postnatal life, 5 female offspring were randomly selected from each of the three groups and sacrificed. After the sacrifice, the two ovaries were dissected out, their weights determined and processed for light microscopy. The results of the investigation showed reductions in the weights and degeneration of the granulosa cells of the ovary and steady increase in the levels of folliclestimulating hormone in the alcohol-exposed groups when compared with the control. These reductions in ovarian weights may have implications on female fertility

Four-legged layer chicken with left bifid cecum and two cloacae

No AbstractBulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa Vol. 54 (4) 2006: pp. 302-30