Animal Research International

70-76

Authors: MGBENKA, Bernard Obialo and UFELE, Angela

This study was done to determine the combined effects of dietary supplementation of vitamin E and selenium on age-dependent immune response of Trypanosoma congolense-infected white rats (Rattus rattus, whiskers breed). Sixty rats were used in the study, 30 20-day old (newly weaned) rats and 30 90-day old (adult) rats. Four groups of rats with five rats of identical age per group were kept in wire-rat-cages. The cages were labeled G to J. Cage G contained adult rats (Control 1), while cage H contained newly weaned rats (Control 2). Cage I contained adult rats fed diet containing selenium and vitamin E (nutrient), while cage J contained newly weaned rats also fed diets containing selenium and vitamin E. Each treatment was replicated three times. Longevity (days of survival) and differential leucocyte counts which are functions of immune response of the rats upon infection with T. congolense were determined. At the end of the study, the longevity and differential leucocyte counts were analysed for significant differences using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and any differences were partitioned with the least significant difference (LSD) and the Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The results revealed that there was no significant difference in longevity (P > 0.05) between the two control groups (newly weaned and adult rats) but there were significant differences between the longevity of each control group and the longevities of the rats given combined dietary supplementation of the nutrients. Longevity of newly weaned and adult rats given dietary supplementation of selenium and vitamin E were not different (P < 0.05). These results implied that age of the rats was not a contributory factor in improved immune response of the trypanosome-infected rats fed the combined dietary supplementation of selenium and vitamin E.

81-85

Authors: SULE, Oricha Dirisu and ADIKWU, Innocent

The embryonic development in Clarias gariepinus was studied under laboratory conditions. The development stages of eggs starting from first cleavage to hatching were examined microscopically. The accurate timing and detailed description of each stage were recorded. Photomicrograph of important stages, segmentation, blastulation, differentiation of embryo and hatching, was taken. The result shows that the blastodisc (polar cap) appeared 35±1 minutes after fertilization. The first cleavage dividing the blastodisc into two blastomeres occurred 15±0.5 minutes after the polar cap formation. The larva emerged from the egg case 22 hours after fertilization at a water temperature of 25.1±1.5 OC. This result will assist in better management of C. gariepinus, enhance their survival to fry and increase the supply of fingerlings in Nigeria.

90-94

Authors: AKAH, Peter., NJOKU, Obioma., NWANGUMA, Ada and AKUNYILI, Dorathy

The effect of Vernonia amygdalina aqueous leaf extract on serum glucose and triglyceride level of diabetic rats were investigated. The aqueous extract was administered to alloxan –diabetic rats. The blood glucose and serum triglyceride levels were estimated at time intervals post oral administration of the extract (80 mg/kg). The extract caused significant (P<0.05) and progressive time dependent reduction of blood glucose and serum triglyceride levels in both normoglyceamic and alloxan-induced diabetic rats, with similar time course of action. In conclusion, the significant reduction in blood glucose and serum triglyceride level observed in this study may help in alleviating some of the complications associated with diabetic conditions.

100-105

Authors: NWUBA, Lucy Afulenu., EYO, Joseph Effiong and INYANG, Nicholas Matthias

A study to evaluate the effects of insecticide, Actellic 25 EC and salt solutions on proximate composition, preservation of organoleptic properties and reduction of insect infestation on traditionally smoked dried fish samples was carried out using three freshwater fishes, Heterobranchus longifilis, Heterotis niloticus and Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus. The various dehydration and smoking treatments had effect on the proximate composition. The highest moisture contents were recorded in the batch I (fresh) fish pieces, while the lowest moisture content occurred amongst the Actellic dehydrated and smoked dried fish pieces. The fat content of fish pieces dehydrated and smoked dried showed that the non dehydrated and non smoked dried fish pieces (fresh fish) had the highest fat content. The highest fibre content was recorded in the batch I (fresh fish) fish species and the lowest was recorded among the fish pieces dehydrated in salt solution before smoke drying. The protein content of fish pieces variously dehydrated and smoked dried revealed that the Actellic 25 EC dehydrated smoked dried fish pieces had the highest protein content while the lowest protein contents were recorded among the fresh fish pieces not dehydrated either in salt and/or Actellic 25 EC solutions. The highest carbohydrate content was recorded in the batch I (fresh fish) while the lowest occurred among Actellic 25 EC dehydrated smoked dried fish pieces. Two insects, Dermestes sp and Necrobia sp were identified to attack dehydrated and smoked dried fishes. The smoked dried fishes had comparatively higher insect attack than the salted and / or Actellic dehydrated smoked dried fish pieces. Fish pieces preserved with Actellic had the overall best organoleptic properties while acceptability of the dried fish was best for salted smoked dried fish pieces. The relevance of this study to humanity is discussed.

110-112

Authors: NGANG, Isaac and OKAFOR, Fabian Chukwuemenam

The effects of permethrin on reproduction and survival of Bulinus globosus and Bulinus truncatus are reported. Serial dilutions of the chemical were used in 96 h exposure tests on the molluscs, followed by postexposure maintenance in the laboratory for 8 weeks. There was significant decrease in oviposition with increase in pesticide concentration. There were significant differences between treatment-means for both egg mass and embryo counts for both species of molluscs. The F-LSD values at 5% alpha level for egg mass counts were 2.81 and 2.97 respectively for B. globosus and B. truncatus; 49.60 and 55.72 for the embryo counts in that order. The chemical did not produce an appreciable adverse effect on snail survival and longevity.

120-124

Authors: OKAFOR, Fabian Chukwuemenam and NGANG, Isaac

The results of snail collections carried out in the freshwater habitats of Niger-Cem in Nkalagu from August to November 2002 are reported. Also reported are findings on abundance, diversity and age structure of the snails. A total of 3491 pulmonate snails were collected, belonging to 3 families: Planorbidae (3133); Lymnaeidae (199) and Ampullariidae (159). Bulinus globosus was most abundant, with mean abundance (MA = 627.66) followed by B. truncatus (MA = 294) and Biomphalaria pfeifferi, the least abundant (MA = 6.33). Analysis of the collected snails gave the following: Shannon’s index of diversity, H = 1.2889; Simpson’s index of dominance, D = 0.3642 and the number of snails per man-hour = 174.6. Age structure findings demonstrated a ‘lag’ phase in the period of peak abundance between B. globosus and B. truncatus. Findings on the reproductive to pre-reproductive (R/P) ratios, suggest similar demographic strategies for the two buliniid mollusc species.