A. Adeyi, T. O. Olowookorun, B. S. Ajisebiola, H. A. Labulo, O. Adeyi, H. Ibrahim
Moringa oleifera has been previously established to possess neutralizing potentials against Echis ocellatus venom. This study however, investigated the bioefficacy of silver nanoparticles biosynthesized from M. oleifera leaf extract aimed at improving its bioactivity against E. ocellatus venom-induced toxicities using in vivo and in vitro methods. The intrinsic characteristics of the produced M. oleifera-Silver nanoparticles (MO-AgNPs) were carried out using energy dispersive X-ray, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Twenty-five male Wistar rats divided randomly into five groups (n=5) were used for the antivenom study. Group 1 received saline while groups 2 to 5 were envenomed intraperitoneally with 0.22mg/kg (LD50) of E. ocellatus venom. Group 2 was left untreated while groups 3 to 5 were treated with 0.2ml of antivenom, 5 and 10mg/kg MO-AgNPs post-envenomation, respectively. Blood and tissue of treated rats were analyzed for heamatological parameters and histopathology, respectively. The MO-AgNPs formation was confirmed with a colour change from light brown to yellowish-brown with maximum SPR band at 420nm from UV-Vis analysis, indicating a reflection of the bio-reduction of Ag+ to Ag0. The Transmission electron micrographs showed well dispersed spherical AgNPs with average particle size of 15.7nm. Treatment with MO-AgNPs caused a significant improvement of acute anemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia induced by the venom in the envenomed treated rats. Also, MO-AgNPs inhibited the haemorrhagic, haemolytic and anticoagulant activities of the venom. Tissue lesions observed in heart of envenomed untreated rats were attenuated after treatment with MO-AgNPs. The biosynthesized MO-AgNPs exhibited potent neutralizing potentials than M. oleifera crude extract against E. ocellatus venom toxicities.
{"title":"Biosynthesis, characterization and antivenom activities of Moringa oleifera silver nanoparticles: an experimental approach","authors":"A. Adeyi, T. O. Olowookorun, B. S. Ajisebiola, H. A. Labulo, O. Adeyi, H. Ibrahim","doi":"10.4314/tzool.v23i1.4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tzool.v23i1.4","url":null,"abstract":"Moringa oleifera has been previously established to possess neutralizing potentials against Echis ocellatus venom. This study however, investigated the bioefficacy of silver nanoparticles biosynthesized from M. oleifera leaf extract aimed at improving its bioactivity against E. ocellatus venom-induced toxicities using in vivo and in vitro methods. The intrinsic characteristics of the produced M. oleifera-Silver nanoparticles (MO-AgNPs) were carried out using energy dispersive X-ray, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Twenty-five male Wistar rats divided randomly into five groups (n=5) were used for the antivenom study. Group 1 received saline while groups 2 to 5 were envenomed intraperitoneally with 0.22mg/kg (LD50) of E. ocellatus venom. Group 2 was left untreated while groups 3 to 5 were treated with 0.2ml of antivenom, 5 and 10mg/kg MO-AgNPs post-envenomation, respectively. Blood and tissue of treated rats were analyzed for heamatological parameters and histopathology, respectively. The MO-AgNPs formation was confirmed with a colour change from light brown to yellowish-brown with maximum SPR band at 420nm from UV-Vis analysis, indicating a reflection of the bio-reduction of Ag+ to Ag0. The Transmission electron micrographs showed well dispersed spherical AgNPs with average particle size of 15.7nm. Treatment with MO-AgNPs caused a significant improvement of acute anemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia induced by the venom in the envenomed treated rats. Also, MO-AgNPs inhibited the haemorrhagic, haemolytic and anticoagulant activities of the venom. Tissue lesions observed in heart of envenomed untreated rats were attenuated after treatment with MO-AgNPs. The biosynthesized MO-AgNPs exhibited potent neutralizing potentials than M. oleifera crude extract against E. ocellatus venom toxicities.","PeriodicalId":426223,"journal":{"name":"Zoologist (The)","volume":"26 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140733025","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
E. U. Okoh, E. T. Idowu, B. Akinsanya, J. O. Okwuzu
Fifty wild columbids (25 each of Columba livia and Streptopelia roseogrisea) were trapped in Alimosho, Lagos State, Nigeria from January to June 2022 and examined for ectoparasites and intestinal helminths following standard procedures. Three (6%) of the birds were infested with two species of ectoparasites. Prevalence and mean intensity of infection were: Gonoides gigas 6% and 0.34±SD; Columbicola columbae 6% and 0.14±SD respectively. Thirty-two (64%) of the birds were infected with helminths, represented by three species of cestodes and one species of nematode. The prevalence and mean intensity of infection of the cestodes were as follows: Raillientina echinobothrida 50% and 25±SD), Raillientina tetragona 40% and 20±SD and Raillientina cesticillus 20% and 10±SD, while the nematode recovered was Ascarida galli with prevalence and mean intensity of infection of 4% and 2±SD. Only 9.4% of the birds studied harboured triple infections, while 6.3% of the birds had double infection. The prevalence of gastro intestinal helminths within Streptopelia roseogrisea was higher for cestodes (p< 0.05) and for ectoparasitic infestation, Gonoides gigas had the highest prevalence (6%; p< 0.05). The overall prevalence (64.00%) of parasitic infection among columbids in this study was high, with Raillientina sp, a zoonotic parasite, dominating the infections. This demands for control, considering the close proximity of pigeons to man.
{"title":"Ecto- and helminths of Columba livia and Streptopelia roseogrisea in Alimosho community, Lagos State, Nigeria","authors":"E. U. Okoh, E. T. Idowu, B. Akinsanya, J. O. Okwuzu","doi":"10.4314/tzool.v23i1.3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tzool.v23i1.3","url":null,"abstract":"Fifty wild columbids (25 each of Columba livia and Streptopelia roseogrisea) were trapped in Alimosho, Lagos State, Nigeria from January to June 2022 and examined for ectoparasites and intestinal helminths following standard procedures. Three (6%) of the birds were infested with two species of ectoparasites. Prevalence and mean intensity of infection were: Gonoides gigas 6% and 0.34±SD; Columbicola columbae 6% and 0.14±SD respectively. Thirty-two (64%) of the birds were infected with helminths, represented by three species of cestodes and one species of nematode. The prevalence and mean intensity of infection of the cestodes were as follows: Raillientina echinobothrida 50% and 25±SD), Raillientina tetragona 40% and 20±SD and Raillientina cesticillus 20% and 10±SD, while the nematode recovered was Ascarida galli with prevalence and mean intensity of infection of 4% and 2±SD. Only 9.4% of the birds studied harboured triple infections, while 6.3% of the birds had double infection. The prevalence of gastro intestinal helminths within Streptopelia roseogrisea was higher for cestodes (p< 0.05) and for ectoparasitic infestation, Gonoides gigas had the highest prevalence (6%; p< 0.05). The overall prevalence (64.00%) of parasitic infection among columbids in this study was high, with Raillientina sp, a zoonotic parasite, dominating the infections. This demands for control, considering the close proximity of pigeons to man.","PeriodicalId":426223,"journal":{"name":"Zoologist (The)","volume":"16 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140732842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
C. O. Sekegor, J. F. Ekpenyong, P. Udoh, F. V. Udoh
There is a plethora of effective female contraceptives with varied efficacy, usability, and acceptability levels but not for males, who have condoms with a high failure rate and vasectomy with poor reversibility. This study was to determine the antifertility potential of the extracts of Aloe barbadensis as a herbal contraceptive for males. Gel and aqueous leaf extracts of Aloe barbadensis were administered orally to thirty-five sexually matured albino male rats for 30 days, to determine their effects on the reproductive hormones and histopathology of the testes. The animals were divided into 7 groups A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Each group was for a treatment regimen having 5 rats. Group A, the Control, was given a normal ration and water. Groups B, C, and D were administered 10mg/kg, 30mg/kg, and 70mg/kg of fresh A. barbadensis gel daily for 30 days while groups E, F, and G were administered 10mg/kg, 30mg/kg, and 70mg/kg of aqueous leaf extract respectively. A significant reduction in testosterone levels (p<0.05), insignificant reduction in follicle-stimulating hormone levels, and an increase in luteinizing hormone levels that were also not significant (p>0.05) were observed. Histopathological alterations of disrupted cytoarchitecture, absence of Leydig cells, and scanty spermatozoa in the lumen of seminiferous tubules were observed in the tissues of the testes of the treated groups of rats, and as such the extracts may be possible effective natural antifertility agents for males although, toxic constituents of the plant extracts should be screened out before it is allowed for consumption.
目前有大量有效的女性避孕药具，其功效、可用性和可接受性各不相同，但男性避孕药具却不尽相同，避孕套的失败率较高，输精管结扎术的可逆性较差。本研究旨在确定芦荟提取物作为男性草药避孕药的抗生育潜力。给 35 只性成熟的白化雄性大鼠口服芦荟凝胶和水叶提取物 30 天，以确定它们对生殖激素和睾丸组织病理学的影响。动物被分为 A、B、C、D、E、F 和 G 七组，每组 5 只。A 组为对照组，给予正常口粮和水。B 组、C 组和 D 组每天分别服用 10 毫克/千克、30 毫克/千克和 70 毫克/千克的新鲜 A. barbadensis 凝胶，连续 30 天；E 组、F 组和 G 组分别服用 10 毫克/千克、30 毫克/千克和 70 毫克/千克的水性叶提取物。观察到睾酮水平明显下降（p0.05）。在处理组大鼠的睾丸组织中观察到组织病理学改变，即细胞结构被破坏、莱伊杜氏细胞缺失、曲细精管腔中精子稀少，因此这些提取物可能是有效的天然雄性抗生育剂，但在允许食用前应筛选出植物提取物中的有毒成分。
{"title":"Antifertility potential of the extracts of Aloe barbadensis Miller on the testes and reproductive hormones of male rats","authors":"C. O. Sekegor, J. F. Ekpenyong, P. Udoh, F. V. Udoh","doi":"10.4314/tzool.v23i1.6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tzool.v23i1.6","url":null,"abstract":"There is a plethora of effective female contraceptives with varied efficacy, usability, and acceptability levels but not for males, who have condoms with a high failure rate and vasectomy with poor reversibility. This study was to determine the antifertility potential of the extracts of Aloe barbadensis as a herbal contraceptive for males. Gel and aqueous leaf extracts of Aloe barbadensis were administered orally to thirty-five sexually matured albino male rats for 30 days, to determine their effects on the reproductive hormones and histopathology of the testes. The animals were divided into 7 groups A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Each group was for a treatment regimen having 5 rats. Group A, the Control, was given a normal ration and water. Groups B, C, and D were administered 10mg/kg, 30mg/kg, and 70mg/kg of fresh A. barbadensis gel daily for 30 days while groups E, F, and G were administered 10mg/kg, 30mg/kg, and 70mg/kg of aqueous leaf extract respectively. A significant reduction in testosterone levels (p<0.05), insignificant reduction in follicle-stimulating hormone levels, and an increase in luteinizing hormone levels that were also not significant (p>0.05) were observed. Histopathological alterations of disrupted cytoarchitecture, absence of Leydig cells, and scanty spermatozoa in the lumen of seminiferous tubules were observed in the tissues of the testes of the treated groups of rats, and as such the extracts may be possible effective natural antifertility agents for males although, toxic constituents of the plant extracts should be screened out before it is allowed for consumption.","PeriodicalId":426223,"journal":{"name":"Zoologist (The)","volume":"21 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140732533","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
O. A. Adeboyejo, O. E. Clarke, L. Uyosue, A. Adeboyejo
Heavy metal pollution is a serious issue of concern worldwide because it can bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms and transferred through the food chain to harm humans. Information on the heavy metal pollution of aquatic ecosystems is essential to protect life. Therefore, this study was undertaken to determine the physico-chemical parameters of surface water, soil particle distribution (SPD) and heavy metals in two shellfish species in Liverpool axis of Badagry Creek, Lagos State, Nigeria. Twelve physico-chemical parameters and four heavy metals were studied using standard methods. The results showed that maximum temperature was 31.0±1.00˚0C; turbidity, 118.00±50.90NTU; dissolved oxygen (DO), 13.3±3.8mg/l; dissolved carbon dioxide (COD), 67.7±19.1mg/l; total hardness, 173.0±63.1mg/l; conductivity, 39.2±12.2μS/cm and chloride was 2.0±0.7mg/l. Water quality parameters showed significant spatial variations (p<0.05) among sample stations. Pearson’s correction matrices revealed high correlation of DO with nitrate (r = 0.61), total hardness (r=0.62) and COD (r=0.52) at p<0.05. The heavy metal concentrations (mg/kg) in the shellfishes, Callinectes pallidus and Farfantepenaeus notialis were: lead, 0.05±0.05 and 0.04±0.02; copper, 2.03±0.17 and 0.84±0.18; zinc, 3.51±0.44 and 1.99±0.2 and cadmium, 0.02±0.02 and 0.03±0.04 respectively. These levels were not above the WHO standards (for heavy metals in fish and shell fish). The sediment particle distribution (SPD) showed that Liverpool Jetty had 19.05% coarse sand and 43.91% fine sand, while Apapa Jetty had the highest amount of clay 45.29% in the environment. Heavy metals in shellfishes were above the WHO standards.
{"title":"Physico-chemical parameters, heavy-metals and soil particle distribution of Liverpool axis of Badagry Creek, Lagos, South-western Nigeria","authors":"O. A. Adeboyejo, O. E. Clarke, L. Uyosue, A. Adeboyejo","doi":"10.4314/tzool.v23i1.5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tzool.v23i1.5","url":null,"abstract":"Heavy metal pollution is a serious issue of concern worldwide because it can bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms and transferred through the food chain to harm humans. Information on the heavy metal pollution of aquatic ecosystems is essential to protect life. Therefore, this study was undertaken to determine the physico-chemical parameters of surface water, soil particle distribution (SPD) and heavy metals in two shellfish species in Liverpool axis of Badagry Creek, Lagos State, Nigeria. Twelve physico-chemical parameters and four heavy metals were studied using standard methods. The results showed that maximum temperature was 31.0±1.00˚0C; turbidity, 118.00±50.90NTU; dissolved oxygen (DO), 13.3±3.8mg/l; dissolved carbon dioxide (COD), 67.7±19.1mg/l; total hardness, 173.0±63.1mg/l; conductivity, 39.2±12.2μS/cm and chloride was 2.0±0.7mg/l. Water quality parameters showed significant spatial variations (p<0.05) among sample stations. Pearson’s correction matrices revealed high correlation of DO with nitrate (r = 0.61), total hardness (r=0.62) and COD (r=0.52) at p<0.05. The heavy metal concentrations (mg/kg) in the shellfishes, Callinectes pallidus and Farfantepenaeus notialis were: lead, 0.05±0.05 and 0.04±0.02; copper, 2.03±0.17 and 0.84±0.18; zinc, 3.51±0.44 and 1.99±0.2 and cadmium, 0.02±0.02 and 0.03±0.04 respectively. These levels were not above the WHO standards (for heavy metals in fish and shell fish). The sediment particle distribution (SPD) showed that Liverpool Jetty had 19.05% coarse sand and 43.91% fine sand, while Apapa Jetty had the highest amount of clay 45.29% in the environment. Heavy metals in shellfishes were above the WHO standards.","PeriodicalId":426223,"journal":{"name":"Zoologist (The)","volume":"1 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140732972","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Statistics is essential in biological and ecological scientific research. However, the default Frequentist statistics based on p-value and null hypothesis testing is often misused and misinterpreted, hence causing reproducible crises. The p-value concept deserved further examination because it has been irretrievably lost. Therefore, there is dire need for reform in the default Frequentist statistics as practiced by researchers because of the perils of p-values. Bayesian statistics, using the tools of Bayes Factors and posterior distributions derived from priors and likelihood function; rooted in Bayes’ Theorem is one of the suggested alternatives. Frequentist (least square) and Bayesian (specifying uniform Jeffreys-Zellner-Siow prior, r-scale =0.35) regression models, a standard statistical protocol in fisheries were applied to determine the allometric growth coefficient based on length (mm) and weight (g) measurements of juvenile African mud catfish, Clarias gariepinus from Epe Lagoon. The growth coefficient, b=3.20, 95% Confidence Interval [3.07, 3.34], t(96)=47.55, p<0.001 was significant with 96% explanatory power (R2=0.96).While Bayesian method, with 96% explanatory power (R2=0.96), also estimated, b=3.20, (with Credible Interval between 3.06 and 3.32). The Bayes Factor (>100) suggested the data is more plausible under the alternative model than the null model, but p-value cannot quantify evidence in support of alternative hypothesis, since p-value can only reject or fail to reject a null hypothesis. These findings suggested that juvenile C. gariepinus thrived in Epe Lagoon. Therefore, Bayesian inference is a robust substitute for Frequentist regression model in fisheries.
统计学在生物和生态科学研究中至关重要。然而，基于 p 值和零假设检验的默认频数统计常常被误用和曲解，从而造成可重现的危机。p 值概念值得进一步研究，因为它已经无可挽回地消失了。因此，由于 p 值的危害，研究人员迫切需要改革默认的频数统计。贝叶斯统计法，使用贝叶斯因子工具以及从先验和似然函数推导出的后验分布；植根于贝叶斯定理，是建议的替代方法之一。根据埃佩泻湖中非洲泥鲶幼鱼的长度（毫米）和重量（克）测量值，应用渔业标准统计规程--频数（最小平方）和贝叶斯（指定统一的 Jeffreys-Zellner-Siow 先验，r-尺度 =0.35）回归模型确定异速生长系数。生长系数（b=3.20，95% 置信区间 [3.07，3.34]，t(96)=47.55，p100）表明，在替代模型下的数据比无效模型下的数据更可信，但 p 值不能量化支持替代假设的证据，因为 p 值只能拒绝或不能拒绝无效假设。这些研究结果表明，幼鱼在埃佩泻湖中茁壮成长。因此，在渔业领域，贝叶斯推断法是频数回归模型的可靠替代方法。
{"title":"Inferring the allometric growth coefficient of juvenile African mud catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822), using Bayesian and Frequentist regression models","authors":"F. V. Oluwale","doi":"10.4314/tzool.v23i1.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tzool.v23i1.1","url":null,"abstract":"Statistics is essential in biological and ecological scientific research. However, the default Frequentist statistics based on p-value and null hypothesis testing is often misused and misinterpreted, hence causing reproducible crises. The p-value concept deserved further examination because it has been irretrievably lost. Therefore, there is dire need for reform in the default Frequentist statistics as practiced by researchers because of the perils of p-values. Bayesian statistics, using the tools of Bayes Factors and posterior distributions derived from priors and likelihood function; rooted in Bayes’ Theorem is one of the suggested alternatives. Frequentist (least square) and Bayesian (specifying uniform Jeffreys-Zellner-Siow prior, r-scale =0.35) regression models, a standard statistical protocol in fisheries were applied to determine the allometric growth coefficient based on length (mm) and weight (g) measurements of juvenile African mud catfish, Clarias gariepinus from Epe Lagoon. The growth coefficient, b=3.20, 95% Confidence Interval [3.07, 3.34], t(96)=47.55, p<0.001 was significant with 96% explanatory power (R2=0.96).While Bayesian method, with 96% explanatory power (R2=0.96), also estimated, b=3.20, (with Credible Interval between 3.06 and 3.32). The Bayes Factor (>100) suggested the data is more plausible under the alternative model than the null model, but p-value cannot quantify evidence in support of alternative hypothesis, since p-value can only reject or fail to reject a null hypothesis. These findings suggested that juvenile C. gariepinus thrived in Epe Lagoon. Therefore, Bayesian inference is a robust substitute for Frequentist regression model in fisheries.","PeriodicalId":426223,"journal":{"name":"Zoologist (The)","volume":"49 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140733448","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
O. Surakat, S. Onakhinor, A. Adewuyi, O. Dauda, O. Adeponle, O. Fadiji, M. Raji, M. Abdulsalam, O. Oroge, M. A. Adeleke, S. O. Sam-Wobo
Globally, malaria in pregnancy leads to severe complications such as abortion, stillbirth, premature delivery, low birth weight, and fetal underdevelopment. This study examined the prevalence and risk factors of malaria among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Osun State, Nigeria. Between July and December 2020, 555 pregnant women from ten primary health centres in Osogbo, Ejigbo and Ilobu Local Government Areas participated in the study. Employing pre-tested questionnaires, qualitative data on the demographic and risk behaviours of participants were obtained. Malaria prevalence, determined by rapid diagnostic tests and blood smear microscopy was 15% caused by Plasmodium falciparum. The highest malaria prevalence was found among women who didn't use insecticides (23.1%), followed by those who did not use insecticide-treated nets (16.5%). The lowest prevalence was among women in their second and third trimesters who had taken Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPT) (6.3%). The highest prevalence occurred among women aged 17-24 years (17.4%), while the lowest was among women aged 25-34 years (12.9%). All participants were aware of malaria but their knowledge about transmission (67%), symptoms (64%) and prevention (44%) varied. The study highlights the vulnerability of pregnant women who do not use insecticide-treated nets and emphasizes the need for improved malaria preventive practices. Control efforts should focus on the distribution of insecticide-treated nets, health education during antenatal visits and increased usage of IPT as recommended by the World Health Organization.
{"title":"Epidemiology and risk factors of malaria among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Osun State, Nigeria","authors":"O. Surakat, S. Onakhinor, A. Adewuyi, O. Dauda, O. Adeponle, O. Fadiji, M. Raji, M. Abdulsalam, O. Oroge, M. A. Adeleke, S. O. Sam-Wobo","doi":"10.4314/tzool.v22i1.8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tzool.v22i1.8","url":null,"abstract":"Globally, malaria in pregnancy leads to severe complications such as abortion, stillbirth, premature delivery, low birth weight, and fetal underdevelopment. This study examined the prevalence and risk factors of malaria among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Osun State, Nigeria. Between July and December 2020, 555 pregnant women from ten primary health centres in Osogbo, Ejigbo and Ilobu Local Government Areas participated in the study. Employing pre-tested questionnaires, qualitative data on the demographic and risk behaviours of participants were obtained. Malaria prevalence, determined by rapid diagnostic tests and blood smear microscopy was 15% caused by Plasmodium falciparum. The highest malaria prevalence was found among women who didn't use insecticides (23.1%), followed by those who did not use insecticide-treated nets (16.5%). The lowest prevalence was among women in their second and third trimesters who had taken Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPT) (6.3%). The highest prevalence occurred among women aged 17-24 years (17.4%), while the lowest was among women aged 25-34 years (12.9%). All participants were aware of malaria but their knowledge about transmission (67%), symptoms (64%) and prevention (44%) varied. The study highlights the vulnerability of pregnant women who do not use insecticide-treated nets and emphasizes the need for improved malaria preventive practices. Control efforts should focus on the distribution of insecticide-treated nets, health education during antenatal visits and increased usage of IPT as recommended by the World Health Organization.","PeriodicalId":426223,"journal":{"name":"Zoologist (The)","volume":"118 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140251737","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
E. O. Ofum, G. P. Chiaghana, G. I. Ngwu, G. C. Onyishi
the is a common sexually transmitted parasitic infection caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, yet it is always neglected and unreported. This study was carried out among women of reproductive age made up of 136(34.2%) pregnant and 262(65.8%) non-pregnant women in a bid to seek possible ways to promote healthy lifestyle among them. They were examined for prevalence, distribution pattern, intensity and risk factors associated with the infection. The study was conducted in communities randomly selected in Ikot Ekpene LGA namely; Nkap, Ikot Obong Edong, Ikot Ekpene and Ikot Abia Idem. Participants were women who registered for antenatal or visited the medical centres for other health needs. Samples were collected and wet mounts and vital staining with Giemsa stain was used to detect T. vaginalis trophozoites. Out of 398 samples collected, 17(4.3%) were infected. Only 4(2.9%) women out of 136 pregnant women examined were infected. All infected participants were below 36 years. The highest prevalence was recorded among the 16–25 age group with 9(6%) out of 150 women examined in this group infected. Those infected within 26–35 years were 8(3.8%). The difference in prevalence between the two age groups was not significant (χ2=2.90, p=0.23). A higher burden of the disease was recorded among sexually active women. Health officials should endeavour to pay attention to curbing the disease, through awareness among vulnerable groups.
{"title":"Low prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis infection among women seeking health care in five communities in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria","authors":"E. O. Ofum, G. P. Chiaghana, G. I. Ngwu, G. C. Onyishi","doi":"10.4314/tzool.v22i1.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tzool.v22i1.1","url":null,"abstract":"the is a common sexually transmitted parasitic infection caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, yet it is always neglected and unreported. This study was carried out among women of reproductive age made up of 136(34.2%) pregnant and 262(65.8%) non-pregnant women in a bid to seek possible ways to promote healthy lifestyle among them. They were examined for prevalence, distribution pattern, intensity and risk factors associated with the infection. The study was conducted in communities randomly selected in Ikot Ekpene LGA namely; Nkap, Ikot Obong Edong, Ikot Ekpene and Ikot Abia Idem. Participants were women who registered for antenatal or visited the medical centres for other health needs. Samples were collected and wet mounts and vital staining with Giemsa stain was used to detect T. vaginalis trophozoites. Out of 398 samples collected, 17(4.3%) were infected. Only 4(2.9%) women out of 136 pregnant women examined were infected. All infected participants were below 36 years. The highest prevalence was recorded among the 16–25 age group with 9(6%) out of 150 women examined in this group infected. Those infected within 26–35 years were 8(3.8%). The difference in prevalence between the two age groups was not significant (χ2=2.90, p=0.23). A higher burden of the disease was recorded among sexually active women. Health officials should endeavour to pay attention to curbing the disease, through awareness among vulnerable groups. ","PeriodicalId":426223,"journal":{"name":"Zoologist (The)","volume":"5 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140254585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Prolonged industrial and artisanal discharge of petroleum refinery effluents into the Ogu Creek at the Upper Bonny estuary of the Niger Delta could pose a great threat to the aquatic biotopes. This research investigated bioaccumulation of selected heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons in the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) from the creek. Crabs (N=20; average length 18±20cm; weight 150.18±0.02g) were collected with nets. Mean concentrations (mg/l) of Zn (0.044±0.01), Cd (0.002±0.00), Cr (0.001±0.00), Pb (0.001±0.00), Fe (5.82±0.29), Mn (0.001±0.00), total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH; 40.23±2.83) and total polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (ΣPAHs;7.60±1.29) were lower in water than sediments (22.10±1.37, 1.98±0.04, 2.13±0.09, 4.80±0.57, 24.03±1.29, 0.04±0.01, 70.93±3.10 and 29.80±4.02mg/kg, respectively) at the impacted location. Accumulations (μg/g) in digestive tract (dtr), muscle (mus) and ovaries (ov) were as follows: Zn 10.50 (dtr), 11.00 (mus), 2.40 (ov); Cr 0.21 (dtr), 0.10 (mus), 0.04 (ov); Cd 0.01 (dtr), 0.02 (mus), 0.01 (ov); Pb 0.04 (dtr), 0.02 (mus), 0.01 (ov); Mn 0.05 (dtr), 0.03 (mus), 0.01 (ov); TPH 4.14 (dtr), 3.14 (mus), 1.20 (ov); and mononuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (MAHs=BTEX) 0.01μg/g (dtr), 0.02 μg/g (mus), 0.01 μg/g (ov). Accumulations of TPH and BTEX were significantly (p<0.05) higher at the impacted location (p = 0.03 and 0.02, respectively) than reference locations. High TQ/HQ values of 1.59, 2.82 and 1.90 were recorded for Zn, TPHs and PAHs, respectively. The results raise environmental health concerns among consumers of the aquatic food in the area.
{"title":"Bioaccumulation of heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons in the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus, Rathbun 1896) from Ogu Creek in Upper Bonny Estuary, Nigeria","authors":"D. H. Ogbuagu, P. N. Abara, N. A. Chiegboka","doi":"10.4314/tzool.v22i1.3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tzool.v22i1.3","url":null,"abstract":"Prolonged industrial and artisanal discharge of petroleum refinery effluents into the Ogu Creek at the Upper Bonny estuary of the Niger Delta could pose a great threat to the aquatic biotopes. This research investigated bioaccumulation of selected heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons in the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) from the creek. Crabs (N=20; average length 18±20cm; weight 150.18±0.02g) were collected with nets. Mean concentrations (mg/l) of Zn (0.044±0.01), Cd (0.002±0.00), Cr (0.001±0.00), Pb (0.001±0.00), Fe (5.82±0.29), Mn (0.001±0.00), total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH; 40.23±2.83) and total polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (ΣPAHs;7.60±1.29) were lower in water than sediments (22.10±1.37, 1.98±0.04, 2.13±0.09, 4.80±0.57, 24.03±1.29, 0.04±0.01, 70.93±3.10 and 29.80±4.02mg/kg, respectively) at the impacted location. Accumulations (μg/g) in digestive tract (dtr), muscle (mus) and ovaries (ov) were as follows: Zn 10.50 (dtr), 11.00 (mus), 2.40 (ov); Cr 0.21 (dtr), 0.10 (mus), 0.04 (ov); Cd 0.01 (dtr), 0.02 (mus), 0.01 (ov); Pb 0.04 (dtr), 0.02 (mus), 0.01 (ov); Mn 0.05 (dtr), 0.03 (mus), 0.01 (ov); TPH 4.14 (dtr), 3.14 (mus), 1.20 (ov); and mononuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (MAHs=BTEX) 0.01μg/g (dtr), 0.02 μg/g (mus), 0.01 μg/g (ov). Accumulations of TPH and BTEX were significantly (p<0.05) higher at the impacted location (p = 0.03 and 0.02, respectively) than reference locations. High TQ/HQ values of 1.59, 2.82 and 1.90 were recorded for Zn, TPHs and PAHs, respectively. The results raise environmental health concerns among consumers of the aquatic food in the area.","PeriodicalId":426223,"journal":{"name":"Zoologist (The)","volume":"61 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140253069","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dispersants are employed in oil spill situations to emulsify the oil into the water column thereby, facilitating weathering; this is without consideration for aquatic life and productivity. A renewal static bioassay was used to assess the recovery of Oreochromis niloticus after exposure to water accommodated fraction of dispersed Bonny Light crude oil (WAFDCO) and water accommodated fraction of Bonny Light crude oil (WAFCO) at sub-lethal concentrations of 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6ml/l, based on the growth performance and condition factor after 49-days exposure and 54-days grow-out phases. The results showed that, the physicochemical parameters of the test media were affected by the concentrations of WAFDCO and WAFCO. The mean weight gain of O. niloticus increased with time in the exposure regimes/concentrations. Growth performance was concentration dependent, the highest mean weight of fish (15.67±0.78g) was from 1.6ml/l concentration of the WAFCO, which was higher than the control. The mean relative growth rate was higher (10.40±0.69%) in the fish from WAFCO while the highest mean specific growth rate (0.85±0.05%) was from WAFDCO. The highest value (3.42) of condition factor (K), was obtained in the 1.6ml/l of the WAFDCO. The K values of the fish from the WAFDCO were slightly higher than those from the WAFCO, which were lower than the control. Condition factor was greater than three which implied that, the fish were in good state, thus, their recovery was good after removal from the contaminated environment; hence, all mitigative actions should be prompt during and after oil spills.
{"title":"Growth performance and condition factor of Oreochromis niloticus (Linneaus, 1758) after exposure to chemically dispersed Bonny Light crude oil","authors":"K. Lelei, F. Sikoki, V. O. Onyeche","doi":"10.4314/tzool.v22i1.4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tzool.v22i1.4","url":null,"abstract":"Dispersants are employed in oil spill situations to emulsify the oil into the water column thereby, facilitating weathering; this is without consideration for aquatic life and productivity. A renewal static bioassay was used to assess the recovery of Oreochromis niloticus after exposure to water accommodated fraction of dispersed Bonny Light crude oil (WAFDCO) and water accommodated fraction of Bonny Light crude oil (WAFCO) at sub-lethal concentrations of 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6ml/l, based on the growth performance and condition factor after 49-days exposure and 54-days grow-out phases. The results showed that, the physicochemical parameters of the test media were affected by the concentrations of WAFDCO and WAFCO. The mean weight gain of O. niloticus increased with time in the exposure regimes/concentrations. Growth performance was concentration dependent, the highest mean weight of fish (15.67±0.78g) was from 1.6ml/l concentration of the WAFCO, which was higher than the control. The mean relative growth rate was higher (10.40±0.69%) in the fish from WAFCO while the highest mean specific growth rate (0.85±0.05%) was from WAFDCO. The highest value (3.42) of condition factor (K), was obtained in the 1.6ml/l of the WAFDCO. The K values of the fish from the WAFDCO were slightly higher than those from the WAFCO, which were lower than the control. Condition factor was greater than three which implied that, the fish were in good state, thus, their recovery was good after removal from the contaminated environment; hence, all mitigative actions should be prompt during and after oil spills.","PeriodicalId":426223,"journal":{"name":"Zoologist (The)","volume":"7 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140252909","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
C. Nwadike, P. Ilozumba, E. C. Amaechi, O. A. Okeke, I. Nnatuanya, J. J. Okeke, P. I. Afoemezie, N. Udeh
The demand for fish as a source of protein is on the increase. However, sustainable productivity by fish farmers is constrained by parasitic infections. Thus, an investigation was conducted on the prevalence of helminth parasites in some commercially important fish species of River Anambra, Nigeria. A total of 521 fishes belonging to 6 families (Claroteidae, Synodontidae, Mormyridae, Osteoglossidae, Bagridae, and Clariidae) and 20 species caught with hooks, nets, and local traps were examined using standard parasitological techniques. The overall prevalence was 23.80%. Fish samples belonging to 6 families had the following prevalence of infection: Bagridae (0.00%), Clariidae (2.11 %), Claroteidae (1.53%), Mormyridae (0.0%), Osteoglossidae (14.97%) and Synodontidae (5.18%). Helminth parasites recovered were: Weyonia species (4.65%), Weyonia youdeowii (15.97%), Weyonia synodontis (3.33%), Sandonella sandoni (37.41%), Polyonchobothrium clarias (17.98 %), Plerocercoid larva (13.33%) and unidentified cestode (35.47%) (Cestoda); Emoleptalea species (4.65%) (Trematoda); Procamallanus laeviconchus (2.72%), Dujardinascaris species (1.36%), Spirocamallanus species (3.99%) (Nematoda); Neoechinorhynchus species (24.61%), Tenuisentis niloticus (34.62%) and unidentified acanthocephalan (6.25%) (Acanthocephala). Weyonia species, Weyonia youdeoweii, and W. synodontis were recovered from synodontids only. Acanthocephalan, cestodes, nematodes and trematodes were found in decreasing order of abundance. The presence of trematode Emoleptalea sp in Clarias gariepinus is a new host record of the parasite for the geographical area.
{"title":"Prevalence of helminth parasites in some commercially important fish species of River Anambra, Nigeria","authors":"C. Nwadike, P. Ilozumba, E. C. Amaechi, O. A. Okeke, I. Nnatuanya, J. J. Okeke, P. I. Afoemezie, N. Udeh","doi":"10.4314/tzool.v22i1.7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tzool.v22i1.7","url":null,"abstract":"The demand for fish as a source of protein is on the increase. However, sustainable productivity by fish farmers is constrained by parasitic infections. Thus, an investigation was conducted on the prevalence of helminth parasites in some commercially important fish species of River Anambra, Nigeria. A total of 521 fishes belonging to 6 families (Claroteidae, Synodontidae, Mormyridae, Osteoglossidae, Bagridae, and Clariidae) and 20 species caught with hooks, nets, and local traps were examined using standard parasitological techniques. The overall prevalence was 23.80%. Fish samples belonging to 6 families had the following prevalence of infection: Bagridae (0.00%), Clariidae (2.11 %), Claroteidae (1.53%), Mormyridae (0.0%), Osteoglossidae (14.97%) and Synodontidae (5.18%). Helminth parasites recovered were: Weyonia species (4.65%), Weyonia youdeowii (15.97%), Weyonia synodontis (3.33%), Sandonella sandoni (37.41%), Polyonchobothrium clarias (17.98 %), Plerocercoid larva (13.33%) and unidentified cestode (35.47%) (Cestoda); Emoleptalea species (4.65%) (Trematoda); Procamallanus laeviconchus (2.72%), Dujardinascaris species (1.36%), Spirocamallanus species (3.99%) (Nematoda); Neoechinorhynchus species (24.61%), Tenuisentis niloticus (34.62%) and unidentified acanthocephalan (6.25%) (Acanthocephala). Weyonia species, Weyonia youdeoweii, and W. synodontis were recovered from synodontids only. Acanthocephalan, cestodes, nematodes and trematodes were found in decreasing order of abundance. The presence of trematode Emoleptalea sp in Clarias gariepinus is a new host record of the parasite for the geographical area.","PeriodicalId":426223,"journal":{"name":"Zoologist (The)","volume":"61 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140252036","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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