A Diet-induced Atherosclerosis in Rabbit Model Provides an Insight into Essential Elements Concentrations in Cardiovascular Disease

Aim: To assess the effect of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis on essential minerals. Study Design: Animal model was used for this study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of biochemistry and department of Anatomy, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso. January, 2012 to October, 2012. Methodology: We included 8 white rabbits which were divided into 2 groups, 1 (control i.e. rabbits given normal diet) and 2 (rabbits given standard diet plus 0.2% cholesterol and 0.6% groundnut oil i.e. atherogenic diet). Feeding was for 8 weeks. The minerals were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer; lipids and lipoproteins were determined spectrophotometrically while the effects of atherosclerosis on heart and kidneys were determined chemically and histologically. Results: The results showed elevated serum concentrations of total cholesterol (4.05%), triglyceride (28%), high density lipoproteins (12.17%), very low density lipoprotein (70%) in atherosclerotic group when compared with control. Atherosclerosis caused decreased serum concentrations of copper (13.88%), manganese (23%), iron (26.46%) in atherosclerotic group when compared with control. Atherosclerosis induced elevated serum concentrations of zinc (47.34%), chromium (37.21%), calcium (72.04%) and magnesium (125.13%). Except for chromium, significant positive correlations were observed between serum cholesterol and trace elements. Induction of atherosclerosis resulted in impaired renal function shown by elevated concentrations of urea (34.80%) and creatinine (147.54%). Renal histology showed cellular necrosis of the epithelial squamous cells. In the aorta and brachiocephalis of the atherogenic diet fed rabbits, there were large number of smooth muscle like cells and focal aggregation of foam cells resulting in intima thickness. Conclusion: This study further emphasized the monitoring of systemic concentrations of essential minerals in cardiovascular disorder as this may prevent occurrence of another pathologic condition

Diversity and Abundance of Insects Species in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Insects are unique in their own way and contributes all types of services to the ecosystem. In order to develop effective global insectsrsquo conservation strategies there is the need to target species at local or regional scales. The current study was therefore designed for the very first time to document the diversity and abundance of insects in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. Five sites reflecting different levels of disturbances and different land use covers were selected within Makurdi metropolis: Hudco Quarters North Bank (HQN), Benue State University Zoological Garden (BZG), Gyado Villa (GYV), High Level (HLV) and Akpehe (APH). Insects were collected from the months of October to November 2017. Three methods of insect collection were used Pitfall method, Sweep net method and Hand Picking. Diversity indices were measured at each site using Simpsonrsquos, Shannon, Menhinickrsquos and Margalefrsquos indices, while similarity between sites and trapping methods was assessed using Sorensenrsquos similarity index. There was no significant difference in the diversity of insect species between sites (F (4, 50) =0.000375, Pgt0.05), However, GYV had the highest diversity index and Species Richness (d) but lowest dominance Index, while, APH had lowest species richness and highest dominance. When the indices were converted to Shannon Effective number of species (ENS) to show the true diversity, GYV had the highest value for ENS while BZG had a lowest value. This is an indication of dominance because where there is a high degree of dominance the ENS value will be less than the species richness. The Order Odonata was the most dominant and it occurred at BZG than all the other sites. Sorensenrsquos similarity index between sites was from 89% to 100%, an indication that all insects can occur at all sites. There was a significant difference between the trapping methods (F (2, 17) = 6.7965, Plt0.05) with the sweep net having the highest average catch. However the similarity between trapping methods was approximately 67% between sweep net and pitfall while it was 53% between hand collection and sweep netting. This difference in the trapping method possibly accounted for the high numbers of winged insects in the collection. The ENS of the area was 7, this is low, but also an indication that more effort should be channeled into insect monitoring and conservation

Nutritive value of processed feed resources from natural pastures within South-West, Nigeria

The nutritive value of forage resources from natural grazing land as dry season feed supplements for grazing animals were evaluated through their chemical composition and in vitro gas production. The forage resources include conserved forages (hay and silage), browse plant (Leucaena leucocephala leaves) and the forages in the natural pasture during the dry season served as the control. Crude protein (CP) contents of the forage resources ranged from 59 to 171 g/kg dry matter (DM), with L. leucocephala leaves having the highest (p< 0.05) CP contents. Neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) contents of the forage resources ranged from 560 to 705 g/kg DM and 363 to 440 g/kg DM, respectively. The highest in vitro gas production of 38.7 ml/200mg DM was recorded for L. leucocephala leaves which was followed by silage and hay while forages in the natural pasture during the dry season recorded the least gas production. The volume of gas production significantly (pEl valor nutritivo de recursos forrajeros de pastos naturales alimenticios en la estación seca para los animales en pastoreo fueron evaluados a partir de su composición química y producción de gas in vitro. Los recursos forrajeros incluyen forrajes conservados (henos y ensilado), planta arbustiva (hojas de Leucaena leucocephala) utilizando como control los forrajes del pasto natural durante la estación seca. El contenido de proteína bruta (CP) de los recursos forrajeros osciló de 59 a 171 g/k-l de materia seca (DM), siendo las hojas de L. leucocephala las que presentaron el mayor (

Performance, rumen characteristics and blood profile of West African dwarf goats fed varying levels of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)

A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of inclusion of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on the performance, rumen characteristics and blood profile of West African dwarf (WAD) goats. Four (4) dietary treatments were prepared by adding 0 g, 0.5 g, 1.0 g and 1.5 g yeast to concentrate feed. Twelve (12) WAD goats with an average live weight of 10.17±0.53 kg were allocated to the four treatment lots in a completely randomised designand used in a feeding trial that lasted 70 days. Concentrate was fed at 3% of body weight while Panicum maximum as the basal diet was ad libitum. Data were collected on nutrient intake, rumen fermentation and microbial ecology, blood profile and then analysed using one-way analysis of variance. Results showed that inclusion of yeast did not affect (P&gt;0.05) nutrient intake, rumen fermentation of WAD goats. Bacteria and fungi population were also not affected (P&gt;0.05) by the inclusion of yeast, however there was an increase (P&lt;0.05) in protozoa from 0.73× 109 (control) to 1.33× 109 (1.0g yeast). Packed cell volume (PCV) of goats decreased (P&lt;0.05) when goats were fed 1.5g yeast (20.93%) compared to control (24.37%). It can be concluded that addition of yeast to the diets of WAD goats did not affect their overall performance, increased population of rumen protozoa and reduced blood packed cell volume