Commercial Rat Feed Research Articles

Biochemical evaluation of chloramphenicol-induced lymphoma and ameliorative potentials of Justicia carnea and Cnidoscolus aconitifolius in male Wistar rats

The biochemical implication of chloramphenicol-induced lymphoma and the ameliorative potential of Justicia carnea and Cnidoscolus aconitifolius on male Wistar rats were evaluated in this study. Seventy (70) male Wistar rats with average body weights of 128g were randomly grouped into 14 of 5 rats each. Group 1 received commercial rat feed and water ad libitum. Rats in groups 2-14 were given 250mg/kg bodyweight of chloramphenicol by oral intubation for 28 days. Results of blood samples collected after 28 days from all the groups showed normal blood film in Group 1 and abnormal increases and lymphocytes and the presence of blast cells in Groups 2-14. Group 2 did not receive any treatment and is referred to as the negative control. The remaining groups (3-14) were administered with aqueous leaf extracts of J. carnea (Groups 3-6), C. aconitifolius (Groups 7-10), and a combination of both extracts (Groups 11-14) in doses of 500mg/kg, 1000mg/kg, 1500mg/kg and 2000mg/kg respectively, for 28 days. Data obtained showed that lymphocytes were elevated (p<0.05) in Group 2 lymphocytosis and there was the presence of blast cells indicating lymphoma when compared to Group 1. The combination of J. carnea and C. aconitifolius was able to ameliorate the chloramphenicol-induced lymphoma better than the single therapy of each extract. The result of the investigation supports the earlier findings that chloramphenicol could cause acute lymphocytic leukemia. It further provides evidence that combined extracts of J. carnea and C. aconitifolius may have an ameliorative effect in blood diseases connected to over-exposure to chloramphenicol.

Evaluation of hepatotoxicity effect of methanol leave extract of Gongronema latifolium in Albino rats

Gongronema latifolium is highly medicinal in nature. The fundamental ingredients used for medicinal purposes are stored in the various parts of the plant such as the fruits, seeds, leaves, root and stem. This present study is aimed to evaluate the hepatotoxicity effect of methanolic leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium on albino rats. This study was divided into five groups normal control groups: received commercial rat feed and water, group 2: received 1000 mg/kg b.w. of leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium, group 3: received 500 mg/kg b.w of leaf extract of G. latifolium, group 4; received 250 mg/kg of leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium, and group 5: received 125mg/kg of leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium. The result shows a significant (p<0.05) increase in serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total and conjugate bilirubin when compared to the normal control not giving the extract. Administration graded dosage of 1000mg/kg and 500mg/kg body weight significantly (p<0.05) increased the liver damage marker enzymes when compared with groups that received low dosage of 250mg/kg and 125mg/kg body weight and the normal control groups. The histopathological study revealed severe portal inflammation without steatosis and moderate portal inflammation in groups that received 1000mg/kg and 500mg/kg. Therefore, these results suggested that methanol leaf extracts of Gongronema latifolium possess hepatotoxic properties and strict caution must be observed when using the plant extract as a natural remedy of any disease.

Functional food promotes digestive functions and healthy growth of animals nurtured in confinement

In the study, the growth pattern, morphometric and morphological changes in the gastrointestinal tract of growing male and female Sprague-Dawley rats fed crude honey (CH)-supplemented diets as measures of nutrient utilization, digestive functions and healthy growth were investigated. Thirty-five suckling (7-day old male and female) rats were fed CH either as low (10mLkg-1 BW) or high (20mLkg-1 BW) dose daily via stomach tube for 14 days, while the control group was gavaged with distilled water. Rats were kept with their dams to nurse freely between gavages. On weaning, CH was mixed with commercial rat feed as low (20%) or high, 50% (volume/weight, v/w), while 20% (v/w) tap water was added to the control diet. The feed intake of honey-fed male rats and control (infant: 6 – 10g; adult:31 – 38g) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than their high dose-diet mates (infant: 5 – 8g; adult: 31 – 38g). All the rats were killed at 13 weeks old for gross and microscopic measurements of the abdominal viscera. Grossly, there were no significant differences (p ≥ 0.05) in the relative lengths (%BW) and weight: length ratio (g cm-1 ) of the small and large intestines in both sexes. Crude honey increased the absolute and relative weights of the caecum (1.73 ± 0.05g; 0.38 ± 0.02%BW) and pancreas (2.52 ± 0.11g; 0.55 ± 0.03%BW), with significant influence (p<0.05) in the male rats. In addition, dietary inclusion of CH at low dose enhanced intestinal villi growth in height (84.0 ± 4.0µm) and width (25.2 ± 1.5µm). Dietary supplementation with crude honey also enhanced body weight gain of male rats (495.52 ± 8.98g) and females (242.52 ± 6.87g), improved abdominal organs' functional size: liver (10.92 ± 0.32g; 2.72 ± 0.13%BW); spleen (1.25 ± 0.06g; 0.27 ± 0.02%BW), devoid of pathological changes, as shown by liver histomorphology (1.2 ± 0.3) and normal hepatocellular architecture thereby conferring nutritional and health benefits on animals nurtured in confinement.

Sodium arsenite induced hepatotoxicity and the ameliorative effects of combined extracts of Allium sativum and Gongronema latifolium in rats

This study evaluates the ameliorative combined effects of combined extract of Allium sativum and Gongronema latifolium in sodium arsenite induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Fifty male rats were obtained and used, sustained with commercial rat feed and water. The rats were grouped into ten groups of five rats each. Group1 rats were the normal control, Groups 2, 3 and 4 were treated for different durations with 10mg/kg bw of sodium arsenite, Groups 5 and 6 rats were treated with 200mg/kg bw of Gongronema latifolium and Allium sativum, and 10mg/kg bw of sodium arsenite, respectively. Groups 7 and 8 were treated with 200mg/kg bw of Gongronema latifolium and Allium sativum, respectively. Group 10 rats were treated with 100mg/kg bw each of Gongronema latifolium and Allium sativum. The extracts and sodium arsenite were administered orally and intraperitoneally respectively. After seven days of treatments, the rats were sacrificed and blood sample was collected for liver function indices, and also the liver for histological analysis. The results indicated that the liver of the rats treated with different durations of the toxicant suffered different degrees of damage while the single extracts and toxicant treated groups indicated minimal hepatotoxicity when compared to the groups treated with sodium arsenite alone and the normal group. The combined extracts treated groups effectively ameliorated the sodium arsenite induced hepatotoxicity as judged.

Nutritional Study of Processed Amygdalus communis L. Sesamum indicum and Bertholletia excelsa Nuts on Two Weeks Old Wistar Rats

The study evaluated the nutritional benefits of processed Almond nuts, Sesame seeds and Brazil nut on two weeks old Wistar rats. The rats were weighed and arranged into seven groups and feed for 4 weeks. Group one (control) was fed with commercial rat feed and distilled water. Group two was fed with a diet formulated from Brazil nuts and distilled water. Group three was fed with a diet formulated from almond seeds and distilled water only while Group four was fed with a diet formulated from sesame seeds. Group five was fed with diet from sesame + almond seeds while Group six was fed with a diet formulated from Brazil +almond nuts. Group seven was fed with a diet formulated from Brazil + Almond nuts +Sesame seeds. Biochemical and haematological analyses were carried out applying standard methods and procedures. Results for proximate analysis indicated that Brazil nut contains 4.03% Ash, 7.61% crude moisture, 43.74% crude lipid, 12.82% crude protein, 8.7% crude fibre and 28.1% carbohydrate. Plasma enzyme activities of rats fed with Brazil nuts were: ALT (22.96±1.95U/l), AST (66.49±3.33 U/l), ALP (64.18±2.76 (U/l) and GGT (6.89±1.69 (U/l). Total protein, albumin, and total bilirubin concentrations were 53.56±2.03 g/dl, 32.13±1.21 g/dl and 3.82±0.20 g/dl respectively. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and HDL concentrations were 2.83±0.42 mmol/l, 1.35±0.02 mmol/l, 4.10±0.19 mmol/l, 4.72±0.13 mmol/l respectively. The PCV, Hb, WBC, RBC, Platelet and MCV concentrations of rats fed with Brazil nuts only were 48.20±1.79%, 15.02±0.65 g/dl, 7.06±0.44 X103/mm3, 7.28±0.23 X106/mm3, 195.00±5.79 X103/ml, and 6.63±0.43 X10-7fl respectively which were significantly (p<0.05) different from the control values. The result is suggestive that they can be incorporated as a supplementary diet for Wistar rats. However, the results obtained from rats feed with almond and Brazil nuts were more significant when compared with sesame seeds.

Effect of Traditional Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus with Xanthosoma sagittifolium on the Male Reproductive System of Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats.

The management of diabetes mellitus (DM) targets glycemic control as well as prevention or reversal of other complications associated with the metabolic disorder. One of such complications is the infertility which has been traced to oxidative stress and DNA damage caused by DM. In this study, experimentally-induced diabetic male Wistar rats were fed with Xanthosoma sagittifolium (cocoyam) for 14 days and its effect on sperm morphology and characteristics, as well as histology of the testes were assessed. X. sagittifolium corm feed (Xs) were reconstituted with commercial rat feed to contain 25, 50, 75 or 100% X. sagittifolium on a weight/weight basis. One primary and 7 secondary cell abnormalities were observed with overall increased total abnormal sperm cells in the diabetic rats. Sperm cell motility was significantly (p<0.05) reduced in all diabetic rats, but diabetic rats fed with Xs showed increased motility and liveability. Sperm volume was unchanged, but the depressed sperm count in the untreated diabetic rats was increased in Xs-fed rats. Histology of Xs-fed diabetic rats showed reduction in seminiferous tubule diameter and luminal diameter which was significantly enlarged in untreated diabetic rats. X. sagittifolium significantly (p<0.05) prevented further deterioration of sperm cell quality and reversed cell apoptosis as presented by increased sperm motility, liveability and count. In the overall, the chances of fertilization by sperm cells from diabetic patients will be increased as well as achievement of good glycemic control and prevention of further damage by the disease condition.

Effect of ingestion of microwaved foods on serum anti-oxidant enzymes and vitamins of albino rats

The effect of ingestion of microwaved foods on serum antioxidant enzymes and vitamins in albino rats was investigated. In the study, thirty two (32) male wistar albino rats were obtained and grouped into four groups (A, B, C and D) of eight animals each. The animals were acclimatized for 7 days on commercial rat feed. The animals in groups B, C and D were all fed ad libitum with porridge yam, porridge beans and jellof rice with meat/fish reheated for 2 min, 4 min and 6 min for groups B, C and D respectively for 42 days. Group A was fed with un-microwaved food and water for the duration of the study (42 days) and served as control. Antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) activities, vitamins A and E concentrations were determined using standard methods. Result obtained from the study showed that microwaved food consumption resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in SOD and CAT activity in rats fed with the microwaved food. Furthermore, antioxidant enzyme activity were more significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in rats exposed to food microwaved for 6 min compared to the control group (A). Also, serum vitamins A and E concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in rats fed with food exposed to microwaves for 6 min as compared to the control group. Microwaves and increased microwaving time resulted to a significant reduction in SOD, CAT, vitamin A and E in fed rats. Therefore our study demonstrated that consumption of microwaved foods resulted in a significant decrease in antioxidant protection and may be implicated in the pathogenesis of oxidative stress and degenerative diseases.

Effect of Thaumatococcus daniellii leaf rat-feed on potassium bromate induced testicular toxicity

ObjectiveTo evaluated the antioxidant and protective effect of Thaumatococcus daniellii (T. daniellii) on rat feed on potassium bromate (KBrO3) toxicity in male rat testes. MethodsThirty male albino rats of average weight 140 ± 5 g were randomly grouped into 5 with six rats per group. The rats in group A (positive control) and test groups (C, D and E) were orally given 0.5 mL of 10 mg/kg body weight of KBrO3 daily. The animals in the negative control (group B) and positive control were fed with commercial rat feed while the animals in the tests groups were fed with 10%, 20% and 30% T. daniellii leaf rat feed respectively. The treatment was carried out for 14 days consecutively, and the animals were sacrificed 24 h after the last day of the treatment. ResultsBiochemical assays were carried out on the testicular homogenates. The results showed significant increase (P < 0.05) in malondialdhyde, total protein, and superoxide dismutase as well as testicular glycogen in the positive control compared to test groups. The histopathological result showed testicular cellular degeneration in the positive control compared to the test animals which showed normal cell due to protective effect of the leaf. ConclusionsThe biochemical and histopathological results in this present study showed testicular toxicity in the rats administered with KBrO3 and T. daniellii leaf protective effect on the testicular function toxicity in rats fed with T. daniellii leaf rat feed.

Hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius in protein energy malnutrition induced liver and kidney damage

Introduction:This study was designed to evaluate the ameliorative and hypocholesterolemic effects of dietary supplementation of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaf meal (CALM) on hepatic injury and kidney injury associated with protein energy malnutrition (PEM).Materials and Methods:In this study, PEM was induced in weaning male Wistar albino rats by feeding them with low protein diet for 2 weeks. The effects of several recovery diets containing 20% soya protein or 20% C. aconitifolius in place of soya protein or 10% soya proteins with 10% C. aconitifolius or commercial rat feed were assessed in PEM rats. Plasma biochemical parameters were assessed as well.Results:After the induction of PEM, results obtained showed significant increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total proteins (T.P), total bilirubin (T.Bil), triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoproteins (LDL), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine with significant reduction in plasma high density lipoproteins (HDL), albumin, sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), chloride (Cl−), bicarbonate (HC03−), and phosphate (P042−) in PEM rats. Upon introduction of recovery diets containing 20% soya protein or 20% C. aconitifolius in place of soya protein or 10% soya proteins with 10% C. aconitifolius or commercial rat feed for 4 weeks caused significant (P < 0.05) reduction in plasma values of ALP, ALT, AST, T.bil, T.P., LDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides, BUN, creatinine, and significant increase in HDL and complete restoration of plasma electrolytes.Conclusions:C. aconitifolius in protein deficient diets has a protective role against hepatic injury and renal damage associated with PEM.

The Effect of Consuming Groundnuts on Serum Testosterone Levels and Lipid Profile in Male Rats

Introduction : Groundnuts ( Arachis hypogaea ) are used by people for nutritional, medicinal, and recreational purposes. The aim of this study was to establish the effect of consuming groundnut ( Arachis hypogaea ) on serum testosterone level and lipid profile in male rats. Methods : Wistar male rats (n=32) aged 8-10 weeks were randomly divided into four groups of eight rats each: groups II, III and IV were fed diet containing 25%, 50% and 75% groundnuts, respectively. Group I which served as control was fed on normal commercial rat feed. At the end of twenty days blood was withdrawn, and sera harvested. Total testosterone radioimmunoassay and biochemical analysis were done. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA. Student`s t-test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used to compare testosterone and lipids levels between groups, and level of significance was fixed at p=0.05. Results : The rats fed on 25% groundnuts showed insignificant difference in mean lipids and testosterone p>0.05. The 75% groundnuts fed rats had significantly lower total cholesterol, higher high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and higher testosterone p 0.05 while 50% groundnut fed rats had significantly higher levels of the parameters p<0.05 compared to the control except for low density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Conclusion : The results showed that groundnuts significantly increased testosterone accompanied with increased high density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels when fed on rat feed containing 50% and 75% groundnuts. This suggests that groundnuts may be a potential solution to age related decline in testosterone production. Key words : Groundnuts, testosterone, lipid profile, rats

Influence of Fresh and Thermoxidized Carotino Oil on Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate (cGMP) in Erythrocytes from Sprague Dawley Rats

Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) is a second messenger molecule involved in the intracellular signalling mechanism which is important in a wide range of cellular process including metabolism, gene expression, cell proliferation and cell death. This study was conducted to determine the effect of fresh (FCO) and thermoxidized carotino oil (TCO) on erythrocyte cGMP levels from Sprague dawley rats. A total of 30 Sprague dawley rats were randomly segregated into three groups: the first of which was placed on a Fresh Carotino Oil (FCO) diet, the second on a Thermoxidized Carotino Oil (TCO) diet and the control group on commercial rat chow only for a period of 6 and 9 weeks. The two oil diets comprised of 20% (w:w) of each oil mixed with commercial rat feed. The enzyme immunoassays, performed in week 6, revealed that the erythrocytes cGMP levels for the FCO and TCO groups were 66.198±3.193 pmol/mL and 61.990±6.318 pmol/mL respectively, and were significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower than the value for the control group, 77.978±10.479 pmol/mL. The assays performed in week 9 revealed the erythrocytes cGMP levels for the FCO and TCO groups to be 66.522±8.194 pmol/mL and 56.842±8.546 pmol/mL respectively which were also significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower than that for the control group, 82.817±6.677 pmol/mL. The results indicate that the presence of antioxidants, such as beta-carotene andtocols in carotino oil may modulate cGMP levels in rats.

Brain lipids in rats fed a diet supplemented with hen eggs of modified lipid content

The aim of this study was to research the impact of a diet supplemented with egg yolks of modified content, having in mind the type of fat added to the laying hens diet, on the brain lipids and their fatty acid composition in rats. During four weeks of the experiment, 64 Wistar rats, divided into four groups of 16 animals each (eight animals of both sexes), were fed the commercial rat feed (group C), or the feed that contained 70% of the commercial rat feed and 30% of freshly boiled yolks from the eggs originating from laying hens fed with 3% fish oil (group F), 3% palm olein (group P) or 3% lard (group L). Concentration and content of total lipids and total cholesterol, as well as the fatty-acid composition of the total brain lipids were determined in the lipid extracts of the rats brains. Under unfavourable conditions, which in our case could be high dietary intake of the total fat due to egg yolk addition, the amount of total fat in the brain tissue or the mass of the organ itself can be changed. Applied dietary treatments could also influence the level of de novo synthesis of total cholesterol in the rat brain. High dietary fat intake, as well as the fat quality regarding its fatty acid composition, appear to be able to significantly influence the fatty acid profile of the total brain lipids in adult rats, whereas the level and quality of the changes also depend on sex.

Progressive abdominal enlargement and limb weakness in aged, hormonally treated female rats

tested for sexual behavior every 4 days during 30-minute test sessions, for a total of five tests. On the day after the fifth sexual behavior test, capsules were removed and new capsules were implanted as described above and left in place for 20 days. Females were again tested every 4 days, for a total of five sexual behavior tests. During the second 20-day period, in addition to the testosterone capsule, each rat also received a subcutaneous injection of estradiol xylazine hydrochloride (4 mg/ml) mixed at a ratio of 4:3 and injected intraperitoneally in a volume of 1 ml per kg body weight. A small skin incision was made, the capsule was inserted subcutaneously on the back of the neck between the shoulder blades, and the incision was sutured shut. Postsurgical treatment consisted of local triple antibiotic ointment applied to the incision site.The capsules remained implanted for 20 days, during which time females were A group of 40 Wistar female rats was obtained from Charles River Canada (St-Constant, Quebec, Canada) and used to study the effects of hormone replacement on the sexual behavior of aged female rats. The animals were housed in pairs in plexiglas shoebox cages with beta chip as bedding, in a room maintained on a 12-h:12-h light:dark reverse light cycle (lights off at 8:00 AM), with water and commercial rat feed available

The effect of Kashin‐Beck disease‐affected feed and T‐2 toxin on the bone development of Wistar rats

To investigate the effect of Kashin-Beck disease (KBD)-affected feed and T-2 toxin on the bone development of Wistar rats. Seventy-eight ablactation Wistal rats (50% male and 50% female) weighing approximately 65 g were obtained from Sichuan Medical Center (Chengdu, China), and were randomly assigned to three groups (Groups A, B and C). Group A had 24 rats and were fed with commercial rat feed (control); Group B had 30 rats and were fed with commercial rat feed and T2 toxin by intragastric administration; and Group C had 24 rats and were fed with the KBD-affected feed. The histological sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson dye. Weight gain was fastest Group A rats and Group C rats had the lowest weight gain (P < 0.05). There were no epiphyseal plate chondrocyte necroses in the control group at the first, second, and fourth weeks. In the T-2 toxin group, two rats had chondrocyte-focus necroses at the labrocyte cell zone at the second week. At the fourth week, six rats had chondrocyte-focus or lamellar necroses at the labrocyte cell zone. Three rats had focus necrosis at the proliferation cell zone, and there were three rats with penetration necrosis. In the KBD-affected group, one rat had chondrocyte-focus necrosis at the labrocyte cell zone at the second week and seven rats had chondrocyte-focus necrosis at the labrocyte cell zone at the fourth week. And at the same time, two rats had focus necrosis at the proliferation cell zone, three rats had lamellar necrosis at the labrocyte cell zone, four had focus necrosis at the labrocyte cell zone, and two rats had penetration necrosis. The epiphyseal plate Masson dye of the control group showed deep blue collogen coloration and in the KBD-affected group and T-2 toxin group, collogen showed a pale blue color, the drum dyeing was uneven, and the collogen was showed an absence of color in the region of the necrosis. With KBD-affected feed or T-2 toxin intervention, rats had focus necrosis and lamellar necrosis at the epiphyseal plate. KBD-affected feed rats had less weight gain than T-2 toxin intervention rats, which means there were other etiological factors in KBD-affected feed.

English

This study was designed to evaluate the ameliorative effect of dietary supplementation of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaf on anaemia and changes in erythrocyte osmotic fragility in protein energy malnourished rats. Protein energy malnutrition has been associated with anaemia and changes in osmotic fragility, deformability and lifespan of erythrocytes. In this study, protein-energy malnutrition induced in weanling male Wister rats by feeding them low protein diet for 3 weeks was associated with significantly reduced (P<0.01) haematological indices: packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), platelet counts and mean corpuscular count (MCV). It was also associated with increased erythrocyte osmotic fragility at 0.5- 0.7% NaCl concentration. Upon introduction of recovery diets containing 20% soya protein or 20% C. aconitifolius in place of soya protein or 10% soya proteins with 10% C. aconitifolius or commercial rat feed for 4 weeks, the recovery diet containing 10% soya and 10% C. aconitifolius caused the most significant (P<0.01) increase in platelet count, WBC, MCV, MCH and MCHC when compared with all the other treated groups and the malnourished group. The group fed with 20% C. aconitifolius in place of 20% soya protein also caused the most significant elevation in RBC, PCV and Hb compared with the malnourished group. The effects of diet containing 20% soya protein and commercial feed on PCV, Hb, platelet and all other haematological indices were not significantly different from each other (p<0.05). On osmotic fragility, the recovery diet containing a mixture of 10% C. aconitifolius and 10% soya protein produced the highest reduction of osmotic fragility, followed closely by the diet containing 20% C. aconitifolius which produced greater effects than the feed containing only soya meal as the protein source or commercial rat feed which produced the lowest reduction in osmotic fragility. From the results of this study, it can be deduced that C. aconitifolius has haematopoetic property and by reducing osmotic fragility in protein energy malnutrition, it can increase the life span of erythrocytes. Key words: Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, anaemia, osmotic fragility, protein energy malnutrition.

Ameliorative effects of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius on anaemia and osmotic fragility induced by proteinenergy malnutrition

This study was designed to evaluate the ameliorative effect of dietary supplementation of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaf on anaemia and changes in erythrocyte osmotic fragility in protein energy malnourished rats. Protein energy malnutrition has been associated with anaemia and changes in osmotic fragility, deformability and lifespan of erythrocytes. In this study, protein-energy malnutrition induced in weanling male Wister rats by feeding them low protein diet for 3 weeks was associated with significantly reduced (P (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), platelet counts and mean corpuscular count (MCV). It was also associated with increased erythrocyte osmotic fragility at 0.5- 0.7% NaCl concentration. Upon introduction of recovery diets containing 20% soya protein or 20% C. aconitifolius in place of soya protein or 10% soya proteins with 10% C. aconitifolius or commercial rat feed for 4 weeks, the recovery diet containing 10% soya and 10% C. aconitifolius caused the most significant (P malnourished group. The group fed with 20% C. aconitifolius in place of 20% soya protein also caused the most significant elevation in RBC, PCV and Hb compared with the malnourished group. The effects of diet containing 20% soya protein and commercial feed on PCV, Hb, platelet and all other haematological indices were not significantly different from each other (p

Morphometric Study Of The Teratogenic Effect Of Artesunate On The Central Nervous System Of The Wistar Rat Foetus

The teratogenic influence of maternal administration of artesunate on the morphometry of foetal nervous system was studied. Twenty virgin female Wistar rats weighing between 200g and 230g were used for this study. The animals were divided into 4 groups of 5 rats each. Each group was kept in a separate plastic cage. The rats were fed with commercial rat feed and tap water ad libitum throughout the experimental period. The females were caged overnight with sexually mature male rats of the same strain. The presence of sperm (tailed structures) in the vagina smears obtained the following morning confirmed coitus and the sperm positive day was designated as day zero of pregnancy. Oral doses of 0.2mg/kg, 0.4mg/kg and 0.8mg/kg body weight of artesunate were administered to pregnant rats in 3 of the groups respectively from the 7th to the 11th day of gestation. The fourth group of rats was used as the control which received 2.0ml/kg body weight of distilled water on the same days. Results show that the high dose group rats demonstrated significant (p Key words: Cerebral Cortex; Cerebellum; Spinal Cord; Morphometry; Wistar Rats. Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences Vol.19(1&2) 2004: 92-97

Sudden bladder distention in a female rat

We purchased a batch of 48 female Long-Evans rats, weighing 200–250 g, from an accredited animal supplier for studies on sexual behavior. The animals lived in groups of four in large wire-mesh cages in a colony room maintained on a reversed 12:12 h light/dark cycle at approximately 21o ± 2o C. The rats had ad libitum access to commercial rat feed and water.We anesthetized the females with a mix-ture of ketamine (50 mg/ml) and xylazine (4 mg/ml), mixed at a ratio of 4:3 respectively, and injected intraperitoneally in a volume of 1 ml/kg of body weight. The anesthetized females then underwent bilateral ovariec-tomy via a lumbar incision. We allowed the animals one week of post surgical recov-ery before copulatory trials, after which we induced sexual receptivity by subcutaneous injections of estradiol benzoate (10 µg) 48 hours and progesterone (500 µg) 4 hours before each test. All females underwent this hormonal treatment every four days during 10 copulatory sessions.Due to the hormonal injection schedule, we handled and checked all animals every two days. After nine copulatory sessions, we noticed one rat with an enlarged abdo-men, which we determined to be caused by severe bladder distention. This condition was not present two days before. On clini-cal examination, the rat was dehydrated, but we found no abnormalities in gait, postural reactions, or spinal reflexes. External exami-nation of the vagina did not reveal abnormal secretions either. Very gently, the examiner tried to void the bladder by compressing the anterior border, but it was not successful. Then, on closer examination of the vagina, the examiner found a tightly fitted sperm plug. He used a rat restrainer to hold the rat still and upside down and gently removed the plug with surgical tweezers. The exam-iner did not detect any abnormal vaginal secretions, but he did notice a foul odor. Once the plug was removed, the examiner voided the bladder very gently. He gave the rat saline subcutaneously to hydrate it and then returned the animal to its home cage. Two days later the same clinical signs were present (

Wakame seaweed suppresses the proliferation of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)-anthracene-induced mammary tumors in rats.

We examined the anti‐tumor proliferation effects of wakame seaweed on 7,12‐dimethylbenz(a)‐anthracene (DMBA)‐induced rat mammary tumor. DMBA was administered to 8‐week‐old female Sprague‐Dawley rats, and rats which developed mammary tumors were assigned randomly to three groups. Commercial rat feed was used in a control group (group I‐A), and two feed mixtures were prepared, which contained commercial rat feed blended with wakame at 1.0% (group I‐B) and 5.0% (group I‐C) by weight. The respective feeds were given to each group for 8 weeks, and changes in mammary tumor size were compared. At the end of the experiment, mammary tumors and thyroid glands were resected to compare their weights. Serum total iodine and thyroxin (T4) levels were measured. Immunohistochemical studies for bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling, transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β, and apoptosis were carried out in the resected tumor. Significant suppression of tumor growth was observed in groups I‐B and I‐C compared with I‐A. In groups I‐B and I‐C, the weights of resected mammary tumors were significantly lower and serum total iodine concentration was significantly higher than in I‐A. BrdU indices were significantly lower in groups I‐B and I‐C, compared with I‐A. TGF‐β and apoptotic index were inversely related to BrdU. These results suggest that iodine is transported from the serum into mammary tissues and induces apoptosis through the expression of TGF‐β. In conclusion, wakame suppressed the proliferation of DMBA‐induced mammary tumors.

Failure of dietary bentonite clay, Silent Herder mineral supplement, or parenteral Banamine to alleviate locoweed toxicosis in rats.

To evaluate treatments purportedly beneficial for livestock grazing locoweeds (LW), growing rats were fed diets containing 10 or 20% whole-plant Oxytropis sericea (LW) with and without Silent Herder mineral mix (1.5% of diet) or bentonite clay (1.5% of diet). Pregnant female rats fed 10% LW were treated i.m. with Banamine (a prostaglandins suppressor) or saline. The LW contained swainsonine (430 micrograms/g DM) and elicited toxicosis within 10 d at intake of 2 mg/kg BW. In Trial 1, 96 immature male Sprague-Dawley rats (BW approximately 100 g) were fed commercial rat feed (CRF) with and without LW, as follows: 100% CRF, free choice; 100% CRF, restricted intake to equal average intake of rats consuming 10 and 20% LW; 90% CRF+10% LW free choice; and 80% CRF+20% LW free choice. Diets with LW contained either no supplement or supplemental mineral mixture (Silent Herder, 1.5% of diet) or added bentonite clay (1.5% of diet). Twelve rats received each of eight dietary regimens through 28 d. Locoweed depressed (P < .05) feed intake and BW gain, increased (P < .05) relative size of liver, kidneys, heart, spleen, and testes, and altered blood serum components (P < .05) indicating toxicosis. Dietary provision of Silent Herder or bentonite failed to benefit rats that ingested approximately 4 or 8 mg of swainsonine/kg BW daily through 28 d. In Trial 2, 68 young adult female Sprague-Dawley rats (approximately 230 g BW) were mated and directly assigned to three diets (100% CRF, free choice, 100% CRF, intake restricted slightly below average intake of diet by rats consuming LW, or 90% CRF+10% LW free choice) and two treatments (i.m. saline or i.m. Banamine at .25 mg/kg BW daily for 10 d) in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement. Approximately half (31 of 68) of the impregnated rats were killed at d 10, when Banamine was discontinued, but diets were continued until the remaining females gave birth. Ingested LW provided approximately 2 mg swainsonine/kg BW daily and elicited toxicosis in 10 d, but LW failed to affect numbers of live concepti at d 10 (P > .5) or numbers of offspring at parturition (P > .10). Banamine did not alleviate LW toxicosis of dams (P > .10). Provision of Silent Herder or bentonite in the diet or Banamine i.m. had no benefit for rats fed toxic locoweed.