Comparative evaluation of solvent extracts of Azanza garckeana fruit pulp on hormonal profiles, spermiogram and antioxidant activities in rabbit bucks

[EN] The study investigated the comparative influence of different extraction solvents on spermiogram, hormonal profiles and antioxidant activities in rabbit bucks. Adult New Zealand White rabbit bucks (n=18), with average live weight of 1.2±0.03 kg and aged 10-18 mo were fed ad libitum on a commercial diet. They were administered five different Azanza garckeana (AG) fruit pulp extracts at 500 mg/kg via oral gavage, comprising control group (Con), crude (AG Cr), methanol (AG M), n-hexane (AG H), ethyl acetate (AG E) and aqueous (AG AQ) for four weeks. The extracts improved the spermiogram in rabbit bucks administered methanol (AG M) and the reaction time was significantly (P<0.05) lower in AG E group when compared to other groups. The ejaculate volume, sperm motility, pH and sperm concentration were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the AG M group when compared to the other groups. There was a significant (P<0.05) increase in concentrations of blood testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone in methanol extract group (AG M). While the glutathione and malondialdehyde concentrations were (P<0.05) lower, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the groups administered methanol extract (AG M). It was concluded that AG M extracts of AG pulp elicited the best response in spermiogram, hormonal concentrations and antioxidant activities in New Zealand White rabbit bucks. Its use as the extraction solvent is recommended.Itodo, JI.; Ayo, JO.; Rekwot, IP.; Aluwong, T.; Allam, L.; Ibrahim, S. (2022). Comparative evaluation of solvent extracts of Azanza garckeana fruit pulp on hormonal profiles, spermiogram and antioxidant activities in rabbit bucks. World Rabbit Science. 30(4):309-326. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2022.1725630932630

Serum electrolyte values of cows during third trimester of pregnancy and early lactation in settled cattle herds in Zaria, Northern Nigeria

Some serum electrolyte values of 170 cows in eight settled cattle herds in Zaria, Northern Nigeria during the third trimester of pregnancy and first two weeks of lactation were determined. The cows were sampled once weekly during the third trimester of pregnancy and early lactation (first two weeks) periods for two consecutive weeks respectively. The total (overall) mean prepartum and postpartum serum electrolyte values did not differ significantly (P>0.05) except for bicarbonate, where its prepartum values were significantly (P <0.01) higher than the postpartum values. Generally, most of the serum electrolyte values were within normal range as reported in the literature while some were slightly but not significantly lower than the lowest values of the range. At the herd level, there were significant differences (p<0.05) between the prepartum and postpartum values of serum sodium, phosphorus and bicarbonate and lack of significant difference (p>0.05) for all other serum electrolytes in some herds while no significant difference (p>0.05) was found between the prepartum and postpartum serum electrolyte values in the other herds. These prepartum and postpartum serum electrolyte values were not associated with obvious clinical disease. These values may therefore represent reference values that are compatible with normal health in indigenous and crossbred cows during the period under study in the area. Key words: Serum, electrolyte, prepartum, postpartum, cows, Nigeria

Effect of Extract (Interface) from Stem Bark of Antidiabetic Anogeissus leiocarpus (African Birch Tree) on Random Blood Glucose Levels of Adult Female Wistar Rats: Optimisation for Therapeutic Hypoglycaemic Dose

The LD50&nbsp;of the interface portion of ethyl acetate and n-hexane extract from antidiabetic Anogeissus leiocarpus stem bark was greater than 2000mg/kg.bd.wt., with a wide range of safety value. In addition it caused no death 24hours and thereafter and had no effects on pregnancy, gestation, parturition, reproductive performance with no teratogenic effects on pups of Wistar-rats. This led to investigation of the effects of the extract on ovarian functions of adult female Wistar-rats but strategically optimized to obtain appropriate therapeutic hypoglycaemic-dose. On day 0, 20 adult-female Wistar-rats weighing between 155 and 235 g were separated, at random, into 4 cages (A-D) of 5 rats each, unadministered A (normal control), administered B (5 mg/kg.bd.wt.), C (10 mg/kg.bd.wt.) and D (20 mg/kg.bd.wt.); to each group, an adult male Wistar-rat was added. They were on feeds (superstarter chow) and water ad libitum. Groups B and C were reduced to 4 rats each due to exclusion criteria. On day0, baseline parameters, were collected from all rats. Thereafter, from day0 to day12, each female rat received the optimized dose of the interface and samples were collected for random blood glucose (RBG), vaginal cytology and assay for oestrogen and progesterone. Blood samples were collected after day 12 for clinical biochemistry analyses. At day 1, mean RBG values were significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher (129.5±57.7 mg/dl) in group B than values of groups A,C&amp;D which were 99.0±13.2, 101.8±3.2 and 102.0±11.9 mg/dl, respectively. From days 2 to 12, the mean RBG values significantly (P&lt;0.05) decreased to 98.3±15.6 in group B. The mean bodyweights of group B decreased from day 2 to14. In group D, mean values of body weights equally decreased on day14, but after increase on day7 Conclusion: Daily administration of 5 mg/kg/bd.wt. of the extract (interface) of A. leiocarpus stem-bark is therapeutically hypoglycaemic as it reduced RBG significantly (P&lt;0.05) up to day12. The clinical application of lower doses is suggested to maintain normoglycaemia for a while after “crashing” down the hyperglycaemia of DM with a much higher dose. The shelf-life of extract (interface) of A. leiocarpus stem bark is greater than 17 months, when stored at room temperatur

Acute and Delayed Oral Toxicity Studies and Observations on Pregnancy, Gestation and Reproductive Performance of Wistar Rats Administered Limit Dose of Purified Extract from Stem Bark of Antidiabetic Anogeissus leiocarpus (African Birch Tree)

Objectives: The maximum purification of the extracts of antidiabetic Anogeissus leiocarpus stem bark led to a quest for its lethal dose (LD50) and effects on pregnancy, gestation, pups (kitten) and reproductive performance of Wistar rats. Design: Extracts of A. leiocarpus were subjected to column and thin layer chromatography until final purification. Five (5) each of adult male and female rats were used for the study. The revised limit test dose of 2000mg/kg.bd.wt. was used to evaluate the acute oral toxicity and effects on reproductive characteristics of the purified extracts on Wistar rats. The rats were monitored for instant death and 24hours later, 3 each of male and female rats were humanely sacrificed. On day 0 and 24hours later biomarkers of liver damage, AST, ALT, and ALP and that of kidney, urea, were assayed. The remaining 4 rats (2 males and 2 females) were monitored for additional 14days and thereafter for any effect of the limit dose on reproductive activities. Results: The limit dose caused no death within the first 24hours and no hepato-renal damages. Pregnancy, gestation, parturition, pups (kitten) and reproductive performance were normal. The median lethal Dose (LD50) is &gt; 2000mg/kg./bd.wt. Conclusion: Animal experimentation, using Wistar rats showed that purified extracts of A. leiocarpus stem bark as a non-conventional drug for diabetes mellitus, has no effects on pregnancy and reproductive performance. There was no teratogenic effect on pups. The compound has a wide range of safety value. Keywords: Oral Toxicity, Pregnancy, Gestation, Reproductive Performance, Wistar Rats, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Purified Extrac