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The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effects of graded levels of Curcuma longa (turmeric) powder on the kits sired by dosed male and female rabbits. Twenty rabbits (16 does and 4 bucks) 7 months of age were used for this experiment. The does and bucks were assigned to four groups (A - D) of 4 does to 1 buck per group. Groups A, B and C received 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of turmeric powder reconstituted in distilled water. Group D (control) received 1 ml of distilled water. Dosing was done per os daily for 30 days before the buck in each group was allowed to cohabit with the dose of the corresponding group. Gestational length, litter body weights (at birth), litter size and crown-rump lengths were all measured. There were no significant variations (p>0.05) in the gestation length of does and litter body weight in all the groups. The mean litter size in Group B does was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of Group D does. The crown-rump length of pups from does in all the turmeric-treated groups (A, B and C) were however significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of pups from Group D. The results of this study showed that at 500 mg/kg of turmeric powder, the dose had improved reproductive performance than when given at a higher dosage (1000 mg/kg) of turmeric powder per os. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological changes in the late‐embryo‐stage gastrointestinal tract of Nigerian indigenous chicken were investigated using anatomical techniques. The paraffin‐embedded sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid Schiff‐Alcian blue (pH 2.5) stains. During the late pre‐hatch period, the framework of the stomach was already established, but glands were yet poorly developed. Randomly oriented pre‐glandular cells in the lamina propria mucosae at embryonic day (ED) 14 became organized into elongated simple tubular glands at ED 19 and assumed adult morphology at post‐hatch day (PD) 1. Acidic and neutral mucin deposits were associated with the glandular cells. In the small intestine, enterocytes of the tunica epithelialis mucosae transformed from cuboidal‐shaped cells (at ED 14) to tall columnar cells (at PD 1). Short crypts of Lieberkühn, goblet cells, microfold cells and enteroendocrine cells were evident at ED 19, while the lamina propria mucosae and submucosa contained mesenchymal cells, reticular cells and isolated lymphoblasts. Similarly, the crypts, lymphoblasts, mesenchymal and reticular cells were also associated with the lamina propria mucosae and submucosa of the caecum and colorectum at ED 19. It was inferred from these findings that extensive cellular and tissue modifications occur in the gastrointestinal tract within the narrow window of the late pre‐hatch period. The definitive gut tunics, epithelium, glandular tissues, immune‐competent cells and tissues are formed as a result. Thus, the embryonic gut of the bird is made capable of assuming its necessary functions of food digestion, nutrient absorption, water and ion re‐absorption, immune surveillance, antibody production and immune responses at hatch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The developmental morphology of the bursa of Fabricius (BF) of broiler chicken was evaluated in this study using gross anatomical, histological, reticulin histo-chemical, and transmission electron microscopic techniques. The result showed that the short plica of the BF at embryonic day (ED) 14 was a mesenchymal tissue that contained cells, including mesenchymal cells and lymphoblasts. The organo-somatic index (OSI) of the BF peaked at ED 17, while the BF of ED 19 showed well delineated follicle-associated and inter-follicular epithelial (IFE) cells. Whereas, the IFE contained apical vacuoles which increased in size with age, the BF contained lymphoid follicles which were first observed at ED 17, and increased steadily in mean diameter from ED 19 to post-hatch day (PD) 28. The framework of the interfollicular areas and the follicular capsules were composed of collagen type III fibres. Moreover, the cortico-medullary basement membranes were well established with peripheral and corticomedullary basement capillaries becoming very consistent between PDs 5 and 7. The lymphoid follicle contained lymphocytes with mitotic figures, and plasma cells which showed extensive network of rough endoplasmic reticulum at PD 21, while macrophages contained increasing evidence of phagocytosis from PDs 35 to 56. In conclusion, the morphological features of the BF of broiler chicken in this study reveals that the key function of B-cell maturation within the BF may occur between the first 3 to 4 weeks after hatching, and thereafter, may primarily produce immunoglobulins until involution occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological development of the lamina epithelialis mucosae (LEM) of the ileum of broiler chicken was evaluated using light and transmission electron microscopic techniques. Ileal sections were collected on embryonic days (ED) 14, 17 and 19, as well as post‐hatch days (PD) 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and 56. The result showed that the ileal LEM, which were poorly defined at embryonic days 14 and 17, consisted of enterocytes and some atypically shaped goblet cells. Apico‐lateral tight junctions and irregularly shaped microvilli were associated with the enterocytes at ED 14 and 17. The enterocyte microvilli were more uniform in shape and distribution at ED 19. The embryonic goblet cells were varied in shape and possessed basally displaced, star‐shaped nuclei and small apical cytoplasmic vacuoles. During the post‐hatch ages, the LEM was a typical epithelium with a single layer of columnar‐shaped enterocytes that became highly elongated at post‐hatch day (PD) 7. The goblet cells were characteristically 'wine‐glass' shaped. Follicle‐associated epithelium (FAE) showing numerous lymphocytes among the enterocytes occurred in the post‐hatch LEM. The intra‐epithelial lymphocytes (IEL) were first encountered at PD 1, but increased several folds within the first two weeks post‐hatch. Entero‐endocrine cells were observed in the epithelium from PD 21. Finally, from this study, it is obvious that enterocytes and small atypically shaped goblet cells occur in the ileal LEM during the pre‐hatch period, but these cells assume adult morphological characteristics after hatch. Thus, the cells of the ileal LEM play strategic absorptive, secretory and protective roles in the gut. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated seasonal changes in the morphology of the seminal vesicles of Eidolon helvum in a typical African tropical environment. Seminal vesicles of forty‐eight bats were examined during the early rainy, late rainy and peak dry seasons, using gross anatomical, histological and ultrastructural techniques. The interlobular connective tissue septa from the external capsule demarcated the glandular parenchyma into numerous lobules of tubulo‐alveolar glands. A simple cuboidal epithelium of mono‐ or bi‐nucleated cuboidal cells lined the glandular mucosa during the rainy season. This was replaced by a bistratified cuboidal epithelium, whose upper layer of cells showed evidence of degeneration, during the dry season. The PAS‐positive secretory products appeared to be numerous during the rainy season, but few and clumped together during the dry season. The mean gross weight, interlobular septal thickness, acini diameter and epithelial height of the glands varied significantly with season. Ultrastructural features of the secretory cells during the rainy season showed well‐developed cytoplasmic organelles, numerous electron lucid secretory vesicles and electron‐dense granules. Secretory epithelial cells of the seminal vesicles are very active during the rainy season, while regeneration of degenerated epithelium in preparation for the next reproductive cycle occurs during the dry season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin D3 is a steroid hormone, like estrogens, and could regulate diverse female reproductive processes, including estrous cycles (EC) and uterine growth. Eighteen albino rats (138.33±8.37g BW) with regular EC, assigned into three groups (1-3, n=6), were used to investigate effects of vitamin D3 (vitD3) on EC length. Group 1 rats orally received 5 ml/kg BW distilled water (DW). Groups 2 and 3 orally received 0.025 mg/kg and 0.125 mg/kg of vitD3 dissolved in DW respectively for four weeks. Another 25 pre-pubertal rats (67.75±6.54g; 5 intact and 20 ovariectomized), assigned into five groups (A-E, n=5), were used to determine estrogenic activity of vitD3. Groups A (intact rats), B, C, D and E subcutaneously received 5 ml DW, 5 ml paraffin oil, 0.1 mg stilbesterol, 0.025 mg vitD3 and 0.125 mg vitD3 per kg BW, respectively for four days. Absolute uterine weights (AUW), relative uterine weights (RUW) and histomorphometric parameters of the uterine horns were recorded for rats of each group. The results showed that oral administration of 0.025 mg/kg BW vitD3 significantly (P<0.05) shortened proestrus and diestrus phases, but prolonged estrus phase of EC when compared with controls and 0.125 mg/kg BW group. However, total cycle length and metestrus phase were not affected. Similarly, 0.125 mg/kg BW vitD3 had no effect on EC or its phases. VitD3 and stilbesterol increased (P<0.05) AUW, RUW, endometrial thickness and uterine luminal folds when compared to the paraffin oil-treated and intact rats. Moreover, the endometrial thickness was higher (P<0.05) in paraffin-treated rats compared with the controls. It was therefore concluded that vitD3 altered EC of rats due to its estrogenic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the ameliorative effect of aqueous garlic extract (AGEx) on cadmium chloride (CdCl2-induced) alterations in the blood and testicles of rats. Methods: A total of 24 male rats (160 - 200 g), randomly assigned into 4 groups (A - D; n = 6), were used to investigate the claimed protective effect of AGEx on blood and spermatogenic tissues following CdCl2-intoxication in albino rats. The rats in Group A served as controls and were given 5 mg/mL of deionized water. Group B rats were given 300 mg/kg of AGEx. Group C rats were given 2 mg/kg of CdCl2. Rats in Group D first received 2 mg/kg of CdCl2, and 300 mg/kg of AGEx 2 h later. All treatments were done every 48 h for a period of six weeks. Results: CdCl2 administration to group C rats reduced (p < 0.05) haematocrit value (PCV), concentration of haemoglobin (Hb), red cells count (RBC), total leucocytes count (tWBC), eosinophil, neutrophil, testicular weights and sperm reserves; but elevated (p < 0.05) lymphocytes count compared with the controls. AGEx 300 mg/kg in group D rats significantly reversed (p < 0.05) the altered parameters compared with the controls. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that administration of aqueous Allium sativum (garlic) extract to male rats enhances spermatogenesis, and ameliorates testicular and haematological alterations induced by cadmium poisoning. Therefore, the spermatogenic principle in AGEx is a potential candidate for the clinical management of male infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]