19 research outputs found

    Haematological evaluation of Wistar rats exposed to chronic doses of cadmium, mercury and combined cadmium and mercury

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    Cadmium and mercury present in the environment, cause blood disorders. This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of cadmium, mercury and their combination on hematological parameters of Wistar rats. For this purpose, two different doses of each metal and their combination were administered orally for 28 days to six groups of five rats each. Two groups (A and B) were respectively exposed to CdCl2 (0.25 and 2.5 mg/kg), two other groups (C and D) respectively received HgCl2 (0.12 and 1.2 mg/kg) and the last two groups (E and F) were respectively treated with the combination of these two metals: (0.25 mg/kg Cd + 0.12 mg/kg Hg) and (2.5 mg/kg Cd + 1.2 mg/kg Hg). The control group (G) received the same volume of distilled water. At the end of exposure, bodies of rats were weighed and the whole blood was collected by retro-orbital sinus method for analysis of hematological parameters. The results of this study show a significant decrease (p<0.05) in white blood cells (WBC) in the lot treated with the combination (0.25 mg/kg Cd + 012 mg/kg Hg) and also indicate a significant decrease (p<0.05) in WBC, red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin concentration (HGB) and the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) with high levels of mercury (2.5 mg/kg) and the combination (2.5 mg/kg Cd + 1.2 mg/kg Hg). An increase in the number of platelet count (PLT) in all intoxicated lots was observed.Keywords: Cadmium, mercury, hematology, blood parameters, ratsAfrican Journal of BiotechnologyVol. 12(23), pp. 3731-373

    Genetic diversity in Nigerian brinjal eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) as revealed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers

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    The taxonomy of Solanum melongena L., also known as brinjal eggplant, has remained difficult because previous studies to establish genetic relationships among taxa are mainly based on morphological features, which are insufficient to establish genetic affinities. In the present investigation, five highly polymorphic random amplified polymorphic DNA primers were used to describe the genetic similarity and diversity among its accessions in Nigeria. The results show a high level of polymorphism based on the banding patterns among the samples. This indicated a wide and diverse genetic base. Four distinct clusters were equally noticeable at a coefficient of 0.80 from the dendrogram generated. Generally, the grouping pattern clearly indicates that irrespective of variations in fruit traits among samples, they were still grouped together in different clusters with a high similarity coefficient value. This probably showed some genetic relatedness/closeness among the samples concerned. The study also revealed that there is no association between RAPD pattern and the geographic origin of accessions. These agreed with previously published data on the characterization of eggplant. The study disclosed that molecular methods coupled with morphological analyses could make proper classification of S. melongena and other Solanum species in Nigeria possible to achieve.Keywords: Eggplant, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), Data, polymorphism, taxonomyAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(21) 2119-212

    Morphological and molecular assessment of mushroom (Lentinus Squarrosulus) (mont.) Singer

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    Lentinus squarrosulus is a popular mushroom in Nigeria used for traditional medicine apart from food. The identification of those high-quality fungal species is not only necessary but has great economic significance as it will allow product distributors to verify the material they are selling. Hence, this study investigated the morphological and molecular relationship among L. squarrosulus samples from different locations in Ibadan. Ten samples of L. squarrosulus were collected from nine different natural habitats in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, from which pure cultures were prepared. Isolation of DNA was done from fruiting bodies of fresh samples evaluated. Ten primers were designed from ITS sequences of the Family Agariceae and used for the study. The ten mushrooms evaluated in the study showed diverse morphological features such as colour of cap and pileus, size of stipe and pileus. A total of 50 amplicons were generated of which 31 bands (62%) were polymorphic. The RAPD variety-specific products were generated in some of the genotypes evaluated which can serve as unique identifiers. The study showed mean values for marker gene diversity of 0.27, Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) of 0.25 and 63.81% polymorphism. Both morphological and molecular analyses revealed two clustered groups. Number and types of samples in each group were not the same in both studies. The presence of unique band pattern among sampled fungi evaluated showed the discriminating power of the primer Ast-F in the study. Keywords: Polymorphism, DNA, RAPD, Fungi, Gene diversity characterizatio

    Genetic Analysis of Early White Quality Protein Maize Inbreds and Derived Hybrids under Low-Nitrogen and Combined Drought and Heat Stress Environments

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    An increase in the average global temperature and drought is anticipated in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) as a result of climate change. Therefore, early white quality protein maize (QPM) hybrids with tolerance to combined drought and heat stress (CDHS) as well as low soil nitrogen (low-nitrogen) have the potential to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. Ninety-six early QPM hybrids and four checks were evaluated in Nigeria for two years under CDHS, low-nitrogen, and in optimal environments. The objectives of this study were to determine the gene action conditioning grain yield, assess the performance of the early QPM inbred lines and identify high yielding and stable QPM hybrids under CDHS, low-nitrogen and optimal environment conditions. There was preponderance of the non-additive gene action over the additive in the inheritance of grain yield under CDHS environment conditions, while additive gene action was more important for grain yield in a low-nitrogen environment. TZEQI 6 was confirmed as an inbred tester under low N while TZEQI 113 × TZEQI 6 was identified as a single-cross tester under low-nitrogen environments. Plant and ear aspects were the primary contributors to grain yield under CDHS and low-nitrogen environments. TZEQI 6 × TZEQI 228 and the check TZEQI 39 × TZEQI 44 were the highest yielding under each stress environment and across environments. Hybrid TZEQI 210 × TZEQI 188 was the most stable across environments and should be tested on-farm and commercialized in SSA

    Assessment of Genetic Diversity of 12 Populations of Azadirachta Indica A. Juss From Three Different Locations In Lagos State, Nigeria Using RAPD Markers

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    Background: The beneficial effects of plant materials typically result from the combination of secondary products present in the plant. Neem tree is a common source of natural products for development of medicines againstvarious diseases.Objective: This study was aimed at determining the genetic relatedness of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) collected from three locations in Lagos State.Methods: Leave samples were collected and DNA was extracted using Dellarporta method with modifications. Several random amplified  polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers were screened for polymorphism andamplifications and only six that showed good amplifications and polymorphism were selected for DNA amplification.Results: The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) produced a total of 51 bands from 6 primers. Primer AC07 gave the highest numbers of polymorphic bands (12) while AG1 produced the least with 5 polymorphic bands when the products were run on agarose gel. An unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) dendrogram generated, grouped the samples into one single cluster with two major subgroups. The 12 populations showed no variation in their genomic composition based on their location.Conclusion: This is an indication of homogeneity in the population of neem plants collected from different locations with a possible consistency in pharmacological activities if investigated.Key Words: Azadirachta, RAPD, Neem, UPGM

    Genome-Wide Association Analysis Reveals Genetic Architecture and Candidate Genes Associated with Grain Yield and Other Traits under Low Soil Nitrogen in Early-Maturing White Quality Protein Maize Inbred Lines

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    Maize production in the savannas of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is constrained by the low nitrogen in the soils. The identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) conferring tolerance to low soil nitrogen (low-N) is crucial for the successful breeding of high-yielding QPM maize genotypes under low-N conditions. The objective of this study was to identify QTLs significantly associated with grain yield and other low-N tolerance-related traits under low-N. The phenotypic data of 140 early-maturing white quality protein maize (QPM) inbred lines were evaluated under low-N. The inbred lines were genotyped using 49,185 DArTseq markers, from which 7599 markers were filtered for population structure analysis and genome-wide association study (GWAS). The inbred lines were grouped into two major clusters based on the population structure analysis. The GWAS identified 24, 3, 10, and 3 significant SNPs respectively associated with grain yield, stay-green characteristic, and plant and ear aspects, under low-N. Sixteen SNP markers were physically located in proximity to 32 putative genes associated with grain yield, stay-green characteristic, and plant and ear aspects. The putative genes GRMZM2G127139, GRMZM5G848945, GRMZM2G031331, GRMZM2G003493, GRMZM2G067964, GRMZM2G180254, on chromosomes 1, 2, 8, and 10 were involved in cellular nitrogen assimilation and biosynthesis, normal plant growth and development, nitrogen assimilation, and disease resistance. Following the validation of the markers, the putative candidate genes and SNPs could be used as genomic markers for marker-assisted selection, to facilitate genetic gains for low-N tolerance in maize production
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