This study investigates the ameliorative potential of Launea taraxacifolia (LT) aqueous leaf extract on cisplatin-induced testicular dysfunction in Wistar rats. Thirty rats were randomly divided into six groups (A-F) of 5 rats each: Group A which served as control received water; Group B was intraperitoneally (ip) injected 10 mg kg(-1) body wt cisplatin on day 21; Groups C and D were given 100 and 400 mg of LT via oral administration, respectively, for 21 days while Groups E and F received similar treatment as Groups C and D, respectively, and then exposed to ip administration of 10 mg kg(-1) body weight cisplatin on the 21st day. Exclusively, Cisplatin-exposed Group B rats showed reduced sperm characteristics and increased sperm morphological abnormalities; distorted histological architecture of seminiferous tubules; significantly increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) and decreased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH)levels in the testes. These parameters in LT alone treated Groups C and D were not markedly different compared with the control group. The rats with the combined treatment in Groups E and F showed significantly improved sperm parameters, testicular histo-architecture and antioxidant enzymatic activities. Conclusively, aqueous extract of L. taraxacifolia has protective potential against cisplatin damage.

This study was conducted to investigate the morphological development of the Helmeted Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) gastrointestinal tract pre-and post-hatch. Eighty seven (87) eggs were purchased from the Poultry unit of National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), out of which eighty one (81) were used for pre-hatch and six (6) were allowed to hatch for post hatch studies. The development was recorded daily at pre-hatch while it was observed at day 1 and 8 at posthatch. The result revealed that at day 8 of incubation a digestive tube appeared with a roundish structure in the middle of the tube. By day 10 Development of GIT of Helmeted Guinea Fowl Gosomji et al.that days 8-13 of incubation are the most critical period for the gross formation of the GIT in the guinea fowl.

This study investigates the comparative hepatoprotective activity of crude ethanol extracts of Cuscuta australis against acetaminophen (APAP) intoxication. Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into six groups of 6 replicates: Group 1 which served as control received water. Group 2 was orally administered 835 mg/kg body wt. of paracetamol on day 8. Groups 3 and 4 were orally administered ethanolic extracts of the seed of Cuscuta australis in doses of 125 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg, respectively, for 7 days and then intoxicated as in Group 2 on the 8th day. Groups 5 and 6 received similar oral doses of Cuscuta australis stem extracts for 7 days and then intoxicated as in Groups 3 and 4. Group 2 rats showed severe periportal hepatic necrosis, significantly elevated serum hepatic injury markers, markedly increased lipid peroxidation, and decreased hepatic antioxidant enzymes activities. Remarkably, Cuscuta australis (seed and stem) extract pretreatments in Groups 3, 4, 5, and 6, most especially, the stem extract pretreatment in Groups 5 and 6, improved better the hepatic histoarchitecture, the hepatocellular, and the oxidative stress injury markers in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusively, ethanol extractions of Cuscuta australis stem appear to protect the liver from acetaminophen intoxication better than the seed counterpart.

Background: Histopathological changes have been widely used as biomarkers in determining the effects of pollutants on fish. Leaves of Balanites aegyptiaca, a deep-rooted, evergreen or semi-deciduous, multi-branched, spiny tree have been reported to have pesticidal, anaesthetic and ichthyotoxic effects. This study sought to find out the effect of sub-lethal concentrations (5.00, 11.00, 21.00, 43.00, and 86.00 mg/L) of B. aegyptiaca on histopathology of gills, kidney, and liver of mixed-sex Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings Methods: A total of 120 O. niloticus fingerlings (mean weight 23±0.03 g and mean total length 12.50±0.39 cm) were exposed to aqueous crude leaves extract of B. aegyptiaca. The gills, kidney, and liver were excised and processed routinely for the elucidation of histopathological changes Results: Dose-dependent histopathological changes were observed in the three organs (gills, kidney and liver) of O. niloticus exposed to graded concentrations of B. aegyptiaca. Gills showed moderate to severe secondary lamellae fusion, desquamation, and primary lamellae congestion while the kidney displayed mild to severe renal tubular epithelial cell degeneration and necrosis as well as pigmentation of renal tissues. The liver showed varying degrees of histo-architectural alterations such as hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis, cellular infiltrations, kupffer cell proliferation, portal, and sinusoidal congestions Conclusion: Owing to these histological alterations in the gills, kidney, and liver observed in this study, prolonged exposure of fish to B. aegyptiaca should be discouraged to preserve fish diversity

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the variations in the expressions of neuronal and glial cell markers in the testes and epididymides of different age groups of cane rat using histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques. Method: Thirty (32) healthy domesticated male cane rats were used for this investigation. The rats were divided into four groups (prepubertal [≤4 months], pubertal (>4 ≤12 months), adult (>12 ≤30 months), and aged (>30 months)] of 8 animals each. Subsequent to anesthesia and intracardiac perfusion of the rats with 10% buffered formalin, testes were harvested and preliminary assessment of nervous and glial structures was determined using the Golgi technique. Specific immunolocalization was done using the anti-neurofilament (NF-20) and anti-glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) for the expressions of neuronal and astrocyte-like cells, respectively. Result: Neuronal and astrocyte-like structures as revealed by the Golgi procedure were demonstrated in the tunica albuginea and interstitium of the testes as well as in the periductal muscle coat and epididymal interstitium of the caput down to the caudal segments. Golgi signal intensities of the expressions in both testes and epididymides increased with age advancement. Immunolocalization of the nerve structures and glial cells tallied with the Golgi results. However, NF signal intensity was significantly higher in the adult relative to others. Similarly, GFAP signal intensity increased with age increment. Conclusion: This study has shown that the variation in the expression of neuronal and glial cells in the testis and epididymis of the cane rat could be associated with increased reproductive reproductive activity.