Animal Research International

1699 – 1712

Authors: DIBUA, Uju M. Esther, KALU, Adindu, ATTAMA, Anthony A., ESIMONE, Charles Okechukwu and EYO, Joseph Effiong

The resistance of current drugs against malaria parasite is increasing, thus the need for evaluation of the haemozoin (HZ) concentration in malaria parasite as a novel strategy for malaria control. Haemozoin load in the blood of patients was measured after taking antimalarials or plants extracts. The tested plant extracts were established to reduce HZ concentration in vivo. Haemozoin was extracted from the blood samples of all the malaria positive patients studied by centrifugation and the concentration analyzed spectrophotometrically at 400 nm wavelength. Comparative anti-malaria activity of some conventional drugs: Maldox, Halfan, Artecxin, Amatem, Mefloquine (quinolines) and Malmed, the leaf and stem back extracts of Sarcocephalius latifolius and Alstonia boonei, containing potent pyhytochemicals including tannins, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, was evaluated to establish the most effective agent for haemozoin reduction and subsequently, malaria therapy. Each agent was administered to patients in each malaria episode, and the absorbance of haemozoin produced determined at 4000 nm wavelength. Packed cell volume (PCV) was estimated to establish the proportion of red blood cells before and after haemozoin production, using microhaematocrit reader. All the chemical antimalarial drugs used effected reduction in haemozoin concentration. However, Mefloquine (Quinolines) showed the highest activity with significant difference of 0.01 (p<0.05). The plant extracts similarly exerted significant reduction in the haemozoin concentration. Nevertheless, Alstonia boonei extract was the most effective in haemozoin reduction at 0.00 significant level (p<0.05). Of all the therapeutants (chemical and plant extracts) tested, Alstonia boonei stem back extract most significantly reduced haemozoin production (p<0.05), indicating its potential for use in novel anti-plasmodium and antimalaria drug formulation.

1723 – 1729

Authors: MOHAMMADZADEH, Saeid, ABASI, M., TAVAFI, Majid and KIANI, Ali.

Goats (Capra hircus) are economical animal in livestock production especially in rural areas. It is well known that goat can tolerate harsh conditions; however there are little information about its reproduction functions such as testis histomorphometry and efficiency of sertoli cells. This study aimed to estimate germ cell types and number per sertoli cell of an indigenous Iranian goat (Lori goat). Semen was collected from five Lori goats by means of an artificial vagina. Semen volume, concentration, normality and motility of spermatozoa were determined. After removing both testes, tissue paraffin section (5µ thickness) were prepared and stained using Haematoxylin and Eosin method. Mean weight of testis was 114.40 ±27.00 grams. Means of seminiferous tubule diameter and tubule length per gram testis were 197.20 ± 1.80 µm and 9956.00 ± 93.00 m, respectively. The mean number of spermatids per each tubule, spermatogonia and spermatocytes at stage I were 163.00 ± 99.9, 140.30 ± 28.60 and 146.40 ± 19.80, respectively. From this study it can be concluded that the Lori goat has high reproductive potentials probably due to high number of sertoli cell per germ cells.

1739 – 1746

Authors: IGWEBUIKE, Udensi M. and ANAGOR, Tochukwu A.

The study investigated the morphology of the oropharynx and tongue of the guinea fowl using gross anatomical and histological techniques. The results showed that the mouth and pharynx of the guinea fowl lacked a definite line of demarcation, and so formed a common oropharyngeal cavity. The roof of the oropharynx was formed by the hard palate and the choana. The hard palate was characterized by a broad v-shaped rostral mucosal swelling, a median palatine ridge that bifurcated caudally into left and right lateral palatine ridges, and para-median rows of caudally pointed conical papillae. The tongue of the guinea fowl was located on the floor of the oropharynx, but did not extend to the full limits of the lower beak. The caudal and rostral parts of the tongue were demarcated by a v-shaped row of papillae, the papillary crest. Histologically, the dorsal surface of the tongue was lined by a non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium that contained intraepithelial taste buds, while the lining on the ventral surface of the tongue was a keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. Other features include a wide sub-epithelial connective tissue layer containing lingual glands, and a core of striated muscles. The lingual glands of the guinea fowl consisted of tubular secretory units made up of mucussecreting cells. These findings may be important in nutritional and medical management of guinea fowls especially under the intensive system of production. Furthermore, our study has provided a foundation for recognition of pathology in the oropharynx and tongue of the guinea fowl.