Toxicopathological evaluation in Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) following repeated oral exposure to acephate.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of exposure at different doses of acephate on hematology, blood biochemistry, oxidative stress and immune system of Wistar rats. The experiment was carried out on 40 Wistar rats, which were divided in four groups. Animals of the three treatment groups were given with different sublethal doses (1/40th, 1/20th, 1/10th of lethal dose 50 value) of acephate by oral gavage. The hematology, blood biochemistry, oxidative stress marker, humoral immune response and cell-mediated immunity were evaluated following acephate exposure. Significant alteration in hematological parameters was not observed following different doses of acephate; however, significant alteration in alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase, acetyl cholinesterase, lipid peroxidase and superoxide dismutase was observed in medium- and high-dose group animals. Nonsignificant decrease in antibody titer in animals exposed to high dose has been observed compared with animals of control group. However, significant alteration in cell-mediated immunity was not observed in animals treated with acephate at different doses.

Hematobiochemical profile in Surti goats during post-partum period.

AIM: The study was undertaken to find out the changes in hematobiochemical profile in post-partum Surti goats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted on 40 Surti goats out of which 20 goats who had undergone recent parturition acted as treatment group and 20 non-pregnant animals comprised control group. Blood samples were collected from the treatment group on 0, 7, 14, 21, 30, and 45 days post kidding and once from the control group. Blood samples were analyzed for hematological parameters such as hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), total erythrocyte count (TEC), total leukocyte count (TLC), differential leukocyte count, and biochemical metabolites such as total protein (TP), albumin, globulin, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), glucose, and urea. RESULTS: Hb level was the highest on the 45(th) day and lowest on the day of parturition. Significantly low level of Hb, PCV, and lymphocyte was found on 0 day and significantly high level was found on the 45(th) day. TEC was also low on the 0 day and high on the 45(th) day post kidding, but the difference was non-significant. Mid-sized cells and granulocyte percentage decreased significantly from 0 to 45(th) day post-partum. TP, albumin, and urea were found to be lowest on 0 day and highest on 45(th) day post-partum. Urea concentration increased parallel to TP indicating an increase in urea production with catabolism of protein. The globulin concentration also increased from 0 to 45(th) day post-partum, but the difference was non-significant. TC, TG, and NEFA were the highest on 0 day and lowest on the 45(th) day post-partum. Decrease in TC and TG from 0 to 45(th) day post-partum indicates that the animals utilized the lipids for the supply of energy for milk production. High level of NEFA acts as an indicator of negative energy status but in the present study, the high glucose level on 0 day indicates that the animals were in positive energy status. The glucose concentration decreased up to 14(th) day post-partum and then started increasing from 21(st) day onward. CONCLUSION: Hematobiochemical parameters are indicative of health status of animals. Significantly low values of Hb, PCV, and TLC during first 2 weeks post-partum are indicative of stress. Catabolism of protein occurred during 2 weeks post-partum, as observed from increase in urea concentration. Decrease TGs and high level of NEFA during the transition period are suggestive of utilization of lipids for the supply of energy. High glucose level on 0 day indicates that the animals were in positive energy status.

Effects of ß-mercaptoethanol on in vitro maturation and glutathione level of buffalo oocytes.

AIM: The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of supplementation of ß-mercaptoethanol (ß-ME) on in vitro maturation rate and glutathione (GSH) level of buffalo oocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Oocytes were recovered from buffalo's ovaries collected from government approved slaughter house (near Kamela darwaza, Surat) of Surat Municipal Corporation. The obtained oocytes were in vitro matured in maturation media supplemented with 0 µM (117 oocytes), 100 µM (46 oocytes) and 200 µM (42 oocytes) concentration of ß-ME. After 24 h of incubation, maturation rate of oocytes and intra-cellular GSH level were determined. RESULTS: The results showed that the presence of ß-ME did not influence (p>0.05) the oocyte maturation rate. However, GSH level increased significantly (p<0.05) in matured oocytes when supplemented with 100 µM and 200 µM ß-ME (6.19±0.10 and 6.37±0.20 pmol/oocyte) as compared to control media (4.68±0.26 pmol/oocyte). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that ß-ME may have a potential to increase the meiotic maturation of in vitro cultured oocytes and protect it from oxidative damage.

Evaluation of physiological and biochemical responses in different seasons in Surti buffaloes.

AIM: This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of hot dry, hot humid and comfortable season on physiological, hematological, biochemical, and oxidative stress parameters in Surti buffaloes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten lactating Surti buffaloes of similar physiological status were selected. Based on the temperature-humidity index (THI), their natural exposure to the environment was categorized as hot dry (THI1), hot humid (THI2) and moderate winter/comfort season (THI3). Blood/serum samples were collected and analyzed for physiological, hematological, biochemical, and oxidative stress parameters. The results were analyzed using standard statistical methods. RESULTS: With increase in THI, significant rise in physiological parameters such as respiration rate (RR), hematological parameters such as red blood cell (RBC), hematocrit, hemoglobin (Hb) and mean cell Hb concentration (MCHC), biochemical parameters such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Na, K, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, Mn, Cu and Zn, hormones such as cortisol and oxidative stress parameters such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), lipid peroxide (LPO) and total antioxidant status (TAS) and significant decline in glucose, cholesterol and triiodothyronine (T3) was observed. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that THI is a sensitive indicator of heat stress and is impacted by ambient temperature more than the relative humidity in buffaloes. Higher THI is associated with significantly increased RR, total RBC count, Hb, hematocrit, MCHC, ALT, urea, sodium, creatinine, triiodothyronine, SOD, GPx, LPO and TAS and with significant decrease in glucose, cholesterol and triiodothyronine (T3).