Seasonal, sex and live weight variations in feed and water consumptions of adult captive African Giant rats (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse-1840) kept individually in cages.

Adult African Giant rats (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse) (AGRs) (n = 231) of both sexes (117 bucks, 114 does) were live-trapped in the wild in Zaria, Nigeria. Live weight (LW), daily feed consumption (FC) and water consumption (WC) of the AGRs were measured during the cold-dry (CDS), hot-dry (HDS) and rainy (RS) seasons for 2 years with the aim of determining seasonal, sex and LW variations. Feed consumption was significantly different (p < 0.001) between all the seasons, with the lowest mean value recorded during the HDS, while the highest was obtained during the RS. Water consumption was also lowest (p < 0.001) during the HDS but did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) between the CDS and RS. Both feed and water consumptions were higher (p < 0.01) in the males (bucks) than the females (does) during the CDS and HDS, but the sex difference was not significant (p > 0.05) during the RS. Feed consumption correlated positively (p < 0.0001) with WC and relative humidity, but negatively (p < 0.0001) with LW, ambient temperature and heat index. In conclusion, both feed and water consumptions in AGRs decrease with increased seasonal heat and adult LW and are lower in does than in bucks during the dry seasons (CDS and HDS). Intervention may be indicated during the HDS to improve feed and water consumptions for optimal performance of the AGRs.

Relationship between anthropometric and haematological parameters among third trimester pregnant women in Sokoto State, Northwest Nigeria.

The pregnancy state in a woman's life is a unique state in terms of the desirable physiological changes and the exciting reversal of the changes soon after the termination of the pregnancy. It is considered essential that to guarantee a good feto-maternal outcome the attainment of optimum anthropometric and haematological parameters are key. Our study assessed the anthropometric and haematological changes and also looked at the relationship that exists between these parameters among pregnant women.We carried out a cross-sectional descriptive study which considered 160 apparently healthy, singleton, third trimester pregnant women attending ANC at the State Specialist Hospital and 58 apparently healthy non-pregnant controls sourced from the Sokoto metropolis population. Each subject or control enrolled was contacted 3 times at 2 weekly intervals. And at each occasion they are assessed for changes in the anthropometric and haematological parameters. The response rate was 93.6% (3 pregnants and 11 controls were loss to follow up). The pregnant and control subgroups mean ages were 28.02 ± 6.81 years and 26.89 ± 5.84 years respectively (p = 0.265). Weekly weight gains of 0.48kg among the pregnant sub-group against 0.13kg obtained in the control group were recorded. BMI increase of about 0.19kg/m2 per week among the pregnant sub-group and only 0.05kg per week in the controls. 95% of the distribution of pregnant sub-group has haemoglobin and haematocrit of ≥8.9g/dL and ≥26% respectively. Among the pregnant sub-group, mean weekly haemoglobin and haematocrit drop of 0.24g/dL and 0.74% were respectively recorded. A steady rise in WBC was recorded but platelets counts dropped at an average of 5.04 x 103 /µL per week. A positive correlation between BMI and haemoglobin levels was observed (r > 0 and p < 0.05). No particular regularity in the relationship between BMI and WBC was noticed. We conclude that there was optimum weight gain and good haematological indices for those with good BMI during the third trimester of pregnancy. There was a positive correlation between BMI and plasma haemoglobin level but WBC showed no particular relationship with the anthropometric changes. We therefore, recommend that good education to improve the socio- economic wellbeing of the girl-child be encouraged to boost self sufficiency for better weight gains and to facilitate access to good healthcare so that the ideal anthropometric and haematological parameters can be achieved during pregnancy to guarantee good feto-maternal outcome.

Modulatory role of ascorbic acid on behavioural responses of pigs transported by road during the harmattan season.

Experiments were performed on adult local pigs with the aim of investigating the modulatory role of ascorbic acid (AA) on their behavioural responses to 4-h, road transportation during the harmattan season. Sixteen adult pigs administered with AA at the dose of 250 mg/kg dissolve in sterile water served as experimental animals, and 13 others administered with sterile water were used as control animals. All the pigs were transported for 4-h at speed of 40-50 km/h covering a distance of 140 km. The behavioural activities were determined before and after road transportation. The behavioural activities were higher (P<0.05) in the experimental than control pigs immediately after transportation. In conclusion, AA ameliorates behavioural stress induced by road transportation of pigs for 4 h and may be of value in reducing adverse effects of road transportation in pigs.

Responses of serum electrolytes of goats to twelve hours of road transportation during the hot-dry season in Nigeria, and the effect of pretreatment with ascorbic acid.

Twenty goats which served as the experimental group were administered ascorbic acid (AA) per os at a dosage rate of 100 mg/kg body mass, while 20 others served as controls and were given 10 ml each of sterile water. Forty minutes after the administration and loading, the goats were transported for 12 h. Handling and loading of the experimental and control groups of goats decreased (P < 0.05) the potassium and sodium serum concentrations. The concentration of serum chloride, sodium and calcium increased significantly (P < 0.05) immediately post-transportation, while potassium and magnesium decreased (P < 0.05) in the control goats. In AA-treated goats sodium and magnesium concentrations decreased abruptly (P < 0.05), while calcium increased significantly (P < 0.05) after transportation. Handling, loading and transportation adversely affected the electrolyte balance of the goats which suggested respiratory alkalosis, dehydration and muscular damage in the transported goats, and the administration of AA alleviated the adverse effects of road transportation stress on serum electrolytes.

Safety and hypoglycaemic properties of aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

The claim by Nigerian traditional herbal medicine practitioners that Ocimum gratissimum leaves has antidiabetic properties was investigated. Diabetes mellitus was induced with streptozotocin and graded doses of the aqueous leaf extract were administered orally to the experimentally diabetic rats for 28 days. Administration of the aqueous leaf extract caused a statistically significant reduction in plasma glucose level in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The extract appeared nontoxic as evidenced by normal serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, TPT, ALB and bilirubin. These data appear to agree with claimed hypoglycaemic effects of Ocimum gratissimum.

Dependence of calcium on thyroid hormone for the regulation of cellular functions.

Recently, the thyroid hormone has been shown to cause increase in Ca2+ concentration by mobilizing intracellular Ca2+. The mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ in the absence of transmembrane Ca2+ influx has been accepted as evidence for a cell-surface Ca2+- receptor. The possible role of thyroid hormone in the regulation of cellular functions by Ca2+-channel was investigated using parameters proven to indispensably involve Ca2+: Bleeding and clotting times and rat uterine muscle activity in Ca2+-free Tyrode's solution. Adult female Wistar rats divided into four groups, namely; (i) Control, (ii) Thyroidectomized, (iii) Throidectomized-treated with thyroxine and (iv) Thyroxine-treated; were fed on rat chow. While groups i and ii were allowed access to tap water ad libitum for 60 days, groups iii and iv received tyroxine (10mg/kg body weight) every alternate day and tap water ad libitum for 60 days. All groups were kept in an air-conditioned room till they were euthanized. The results showed that thyroxine elicited biphasic contraction in Ca2+ - depletion and potentiated uterine contraction during Ca2+- loading (P<0.001). Inhibition of contractions in thyroidectomy, showed dependency of Ca2+ on thyroid hormones for the regulation of cellular functions.

Dependence of calcium on thyroid hormone for the regulation of cellular functions.

Recently, the thyroid hormone has been shown to cause increase in calcium ion (Ca(2+)) concentration by mobilizing intracellular calcium((2+)). The mobilization of intracellular calcium((2+)) in the absence of transmembrane calcium((2+)) influx has been accepted as evidence for a cell-surface Ca((2+))-receptor. The possible role of thyroid hormone in the regulation of cellular functions by ca((2+)-channel was investigated using parameters proven to indispensably involve Ca(2+). Bleeding and clotting times and rat uterine muscle activity in Ca(2+)-free Tyrode's solution. Adult female Wistar rats divided into four groups, namely; (i) Control, (ii) Thyroidectomized, (iii) Throidectomized-treated with thyroxine and (iv) Thyroxine-treated; were fed on rat chow. While groups i and ii were allowed access to tap water ad libitum for 60 days, groups iii and iv received tyroxine (10 mg/kg body weight) every alternate day and tap water ad libitum for 60 days. All groups were kept in an air-conditioned room till they were euthanized. The results showed that thyroxine elicited biphasic contraction in Ca (2+)-depletion and potentiated uterine contraction during Ca(2+)-loading (P < 0.001). Inhibition of contractions in thyroidectomy, showed dependency of Ca (2+) on thyroid hormones for the regulation of cellular functions.

Quantitative changes in gastric mucosal glycoproteins: effect of cholinergic agonist and vagal nerve stimulation in the rat.

The role of the vagus nerve and cholinergic mechanisms in the control of the rat gastric mucin and protein (PROT) release in vivo was investigated. Under urethane anaesthesia (1.25 g kg(-1)), the rats had their gastric lumen perfused with saline. Mucus secretion was measured as a function of adherent mucus on the mucosa surface and the luminal content of sialic acids (SIA), galactose (GAL), pyruvate and PROT. Electrical stimulation of the vagi significantly increased the levels of mucus (3.23 +/- 025 microg g(-1) tissue, P < 0.05), free sialic acid (FS) (0.18 +/- 0.04 mg mL(-1), P < 0.05) and PROT (0.25 +/- 0.003 mg mL(-1), P < 0.05) when compared with control animals. Bilateral cervical vagotomy had no significant effect on adherent mucus or basal levels of PROT, SIA and GAL (P > 0.05) with respect to the control. In both vagotomized and vagal intact animals, the cholinergic agonist (carbachol, 200 mg kg(-1)) significantly increased PROT, adherent mucus and FS (P < 0.05) and decreased bound sialic acid (P > 0.05). There were no visible haemorrhagic streaks on the gastric mucosa of vagotomized, vagal intact and carbachol-treated animals. The results suggest that vagus nerve does not exert a tonic control on gastric glycoprotein secretion in vivo and that cholinergic effect on the mucus secreting cells may be implemented via the intrinsic nerves of the enteric nervous system.