6 research outputs found
Comparative study of chicken egg yolk and quail egg yolk in two chilled canine semen extenders
The aim of this work was to substitute chicken egg yolk with quail egg yolk in two semen extenders and to evaluate the quality of the extended canine semen following chilled storage. Semen was pooled from male dogs (n= 4) of about 18-months old and body weight of about 28 kg. Four extenders were tested: (1) tris buffered chicken egg yolk extender (2) tris buffered quail egg yolk extender, (3) skimmed milk chicken egg yolk extender and (4) skimmed milk quail egg yolk extender. Semen was diluted with corresponding extender in the ratio 1:4. The diluted semen samples were analyzed for motility, mass activity, viability, abnormalities percentage and pH for three consecutive days. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between chicken egg yolk and quail egg yolk in either tris diluent or skimmed milk extender with respect to pH, mass activity and sperm motility. Samples stored in both the tris and skimmed milk-based extenders with quail egg yolk displayed greater viability than those in chicken egg yolk but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). Viability, mass activity and sperm motility decreased as treatment days increased in both chicken and quail egg yolk extenders. Results showed that a pH of 6.5 was maintained from day 0 to day 3. There was no difference in semen quality between chicken and quail egg yolk in either the tris diluent or skimmed milk extender (P> 0.05). It was recommended that quail egg yolk could be substituted for chicken egg yolk in the two canine semen extenders. Further modifications of the diluents with quail egg yolk might produce an improved result.
Keywords: Canine, Chicken Chilled, Egg yolk, Extenders, Quail, Seme
Evaluation of the Impacts of Taurine on Oxidative Stress Indices in Sera and Brain of Rats Exposed to Cypermethrin
Cypermethrin is a pyrethroid insecticide applied for pest control on animals and the environment. Taurine is a putative antioxidant and bioprotective amino acid. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the impacts of taurine on oxidative stress indices in the sera and brains of rats exposed to cypermethrin. Forty rats were assigned to five groups of eight rats each. Distilled water was given to the first group, while the second group received soya oil (2 ml/kg). Cypermethrin (20 mg/kg) was administered to the third group. The Taurine50+Cypermethrin group received taurine (50 mg/kg) and cypermethrin, while the Taurine100+Cypermethrin group was administered with taurine (100 mg/kg) and Cypermethrin. The treatments were given once daily by oral gavage for 35 days. Sera were obtained from the blood samples of the rats after the completion of the study for the determination of the oxidative stress indices (malondialdehyde concentration and the activities of antioxidant enzymes). Oxidative stress indices were analysed in the brains. Taurine significantly (P< 0.05) augmented the superoxide dismutase activity in the sera. However, other oxidative stress indices were not ameliorated by taurine in the sera and the brains. Cypermethrin (20 mg/kg) did not overtly evoke oxidative stress in the sera and the brains of the rats in this study, probably because it is a moderately toxic insecticide. This is the first study that has investigated the effects of taurine on cypermethrin toxicity. Further research is warranted to expound the mechanisms of action of taurine and cypermethrin in biological systems.
Keywords: Taurine, Cypermethrin, Serum, Brain, Oxidative Stre
Correction to: Management of atresia ani type II in a day-old Bunaji bull-calf
The initial version of the article published in Volume 17 number 2 (June, 2019) contained errors in the name of A Agbonu and his affiliation. The correct name is OA Agbonu, while correct affiliation is Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Abuja, Nigeria
Management of atresia ani type II in a day-old Bunaji bull-calf
A day-old Bunaji bull calf weighing 15 kg from a herd of 59 was presented to the large animal unit of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with the chief complaint of inability to defecate. History revealed that the bull calf was calved 17 hours prior to presentation and had not defecated since then. On further clinical examination, it was observed that there was no anal opening and there was intermittent straining characterized by the bulging of the anal region anytime the calf strained. A diagnosis of atresia ani type II was made and was surgically managed with local infiltration of lidocaine hydrochloride to achieve local desensitization of the surgical site using a ring block. The calf recovered fully uneventfully 15 days postoperation. This report presents a classical form of a congenital anomaly of atresia ani type II and a successful surgical intervention. Keywords: Atresia ani, Bull-calf, Congenital anomaly, Surgical management, Type I
Effects of feeding graded levels of whole cottonseed on haemato-biochemical parameters of red Sokoto bucks
Whole cottonseed (WCS) is an important source of protein for ruminants, however, it contains a polyphenolic secondary metabolite gossypol which may reduce its palatability and cause pathophysiological effects. The study was aimed at evaluating the effects of feeding graded levels of WCS on the haemato-biochemical parameters of Red Sokoto bucks (RSB). After a 14-day pre-treatment period, 20 bucks (n = 5) were assigned for 90 days to one of four isonitrogeneous treatments: control (A); 0 % (B); 15 % (C); 30 % and (D); 45 %. Blood was collected for Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and serum analyses at days 0, 45 and 90 of the experimental period for concentrations of urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, globulin and activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The PCV was decreased in groups fed above 15 % of WCS on days 45. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in globulin concentration, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities but aspartate transferase activity was higher (p < 0.05) in group D (45% WCS) compared to the various treatment groups. The urea concentration was higher (p < 0.05) in groups B and D at day 45 compared to the control group. The creatinine concentration was higher (p < 0.05) in group D at days 45 and 90 compared to the control group. The serum total protein and albumin concentration were higher (p < 0.05) in groups C and D at day 45 compared to the control group. Our finding revealed that prolonged feeding of bucks above 30 % WCS for more than 60 days exerted considerable deleterious and adverse effects on blood constituents leading to aneamia, hyper-cretenaemia, ureamia, increased levels of total protein, albumin, aspartate transferase activity and death.
Keywords: Biochemical parameters, Bucks, Gossypol, Serum, Whole cotton see