Effects of Crassocephalum bauchiense (Hutch) leaf aqueous extract on toxicity indicators and reproductive characteristics in Oryctolagus cuniculus exposed to potassium dichromate

Objective:To evaluate the effects of Crassocephalum(C.)bauchiense(Hutch)leaf aqueous extract on the biochemical markers of toxicity,oxidative stress indicators and reproductive parameters in rabbit does(Oryctolagus cuniculus)exposed to potassium dichromate.Methods:A total of 36 nulliparous and sexually mature female rabbit does,aged 8 months and weighing 2.8-3.0 kg,were divided into 6 groups of 6 animals.After mating,group T0 received distilled water(1 mL/kg body weight),while groups T0-,VC100,AE100,AE200 and AE400 were treated with 40 mg/mL/kg body weight of potassium dichromate.In addition,group VC100 received 100 mg/mL/kg body weight of vitamin C,while groups AE100,AE200 and AE400 received aqueous extract of C.bauchiense leaves at 100,200 and 400 mg/mL/kg body weight,by oral gavage for 27 days,respectively.On the 28th daypost-co?tum,animals were sacrificed.Biochemical indicators such as creatinine,urea,alanine amino tranferase,aspartate amino transferase,total protein and total cholesterol were measured by using a spectrophotometer.Follicle stimulating hormone,luteinizing hormone and progesterone were measured by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay.Oxidative stress markers like malondialdehyde,catalase,superoxide dismutase and total peroxidase in ovary homogenates were measured by spectrophotometer.Results:Serum concentrations of urea,creatinine,alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase and total cholesterol were significantly higher(P<0.05),and total protein level was significantly lower in T0-group(receiving potassium dichromate only)compared to other groups.Administration of ethanolic extract of C.bauchiense significantly decreased serum concentrations of urea,creatinine,alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase and total cholesterol,and significantly increased total protein level.However,ethanolic extract of C.bauchiensehad no significant effect on the foetotoxic characteristics.The serum concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone were significantly(P<0.05)lower in T0-group as compared to the control group while progesterone were comparable(P>0.05)among all groups;C.bauchiense leaf extracts significantly(P<0.05)increased the level of follicle stimulating hormone,but the increase in luteinizing hormone was not significant(P>0.05).Catalase and total peroxidase activities significantly decreased(P<0.05),and malondialdehyde significantly increased in T0-group compared to other groups.The administration of C.bauchiense leaf extracts significantly(P<0.05)increased the activities of catalase and peroxidase.Conclusions:Potassium dichromate-induced oxidative stress involves in hepatotoxicity,nephrotoxicity and reprotoxicity.The aqueous extract of C.bauchiense leaves could mitigate these adverse effectsvia antioxidant properties.

Preliminary data of life history traits of Mormyridae(Actinopterygii:Teleostei)in the Upper Sanaga River,Central Region of Cameroon

The present study on some biological aspects of the Mormyridae fishes,was conducted between May and August 2015 in the Upper Sanaga at L´eki´e Department(Monat´el´e Town),Center Cameroon.For this purpose,125 specimens collected by local fishermen were used.Fishes were identified and measured,and their feeding and reproductive parameters were obtained after dissection.The catch composition of 4 species(Campylomormyrus phantasticus,Mormyrops anguilloides,Mormyrus macrophtalamus,Mormyrus tapirus)of Mormyridae identified in the region was very low(17%–30%).The mean±standard deviation of total weight and total length were 103.14±37.83 g and 27.47±4.84 cm,respectively.The minimum and maximum size(of 21.1 cm and 43 cm)were recorded from C.phantasticus and M.anguilloides,respectively.The mean±standard deviation of the relative length and mass of the digestive tract were 0.35%±0.20%and 5.27%±23.20%,respectively confirming that Mormyridae fish species have a strict carnivorous diet and consume prey that are difficult to digest.The size frequency distribution of the Mormyridae fishes showed that the majority of the fish caught are small sizes in classes 23–26 cm and 26–29 cm in C.phantasticus,M.macrophthalamus and M.tapirus.M.anguilloides did not record small specimens,however,it recorded larger sized specimens(41–44 cm)compared to the rest.The sex ratio ranged from 1M:1.14F(M.anguilloides)to 1M:4F(M.tapirus),mean 1M:2.04F has been generally in favour of females.The gonadosomatic index(GSI)was generally low in all species.However,it was higher in females of C.phantasticus and M.anguilloides compared to other species.The hepatosomatic index(HSI)was weakly correlated with the GSI in these species.