Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc is a popular, protein rich but neglected seed legumes. Research has promoted the characterization of morphotypes to identify varieties that meet the preferences of producers and consumers. However, the full potential of this plant resource is not being developed nor sufficiently promoted. Future investigations should promote high-performance, short-cycle varieties; improving storage conditions that respect the consumer and do not pollute the environment. The choice and adoption of voandzou, of which many varieties are present and under-exploited despite their high nutritional value and their potential for fighting hunger, justifies the interest in developing some agricultural value chains of this legume. Résumé Le voandzou, (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.), est une légumineuse à graines, populaire, riche en protéine mais négligée. Les recherches menées ont promu la caractérisation des morphotypes en vue de l’identification des variétés qui répondent aux préférences des producteurs et des consommateurs. Hélas, tout le potentiel de cette ressource végétale n’est pas valorisé ni suffisamment promu. Les investigations futures devraient cibler la recherche des variétés de haute performance et à cycle court ; l’amélioration des conditions de stockage qui respectent le consommateur et ne polluent pas l’environnement ; le développement de nouveaux produits à base du voandzou de consommation massive contribuant ainsi à l’élimination de la faim sous toutes ses formes. Le choix et l’adoption du voandzou, dont de nombreuses variétés sont présentes et sous exploitées malgré leur forte valeur nutritive et leur potentiel pour la lutte contre la faim, justifie l’intérêt de développer des chaines de valeur agricole de cette légumineuse.
Sorghum is the fifth most cultivated cereal crop in the world while in Cameroon, it ranks second after maize. Its production is hampered worldwide by various constraints including insect pests amongst which lepidopteran are predominant. Serious attacks on transplanted sorghum panicles were reported during the year 2023 in the Far North Region of Cameroon and wrongly attributed to Spodoptera frugiperda - although it is initially known to damage sorghum foliage. Field investigations were carried out with the objectives to evaluate the extent of the damages on sorghum panicles, readily identify the insect species responsible of the alarming damages and identify others insects associated with sorghum panicles. Group discussion was made with agriculture extension agents and farmers then, 30-60 sorghum plants randomly selected along two diagonals of a delimited field portion were evaluated for pest incidence and damage severity on panicles. The plague occurred in three Divisions among which Diamare was the highly affected area. This phenomenon was never reported in the past according to farmers. Pest incidence, density and severity varied across visited fields. Damages on panicle included mostly empty or unfilled grains and destroyed grains. Helicoverpa armigera Hübner was identified as the insect responsible of the alarming damages. This is the first report of H. armigera outbreak on sorghum in Cameroon. Implications of this first-time outbreak are discussed and more investigations are needed to clarify this sudden abundance of H. armigera on sorghum panicle. Three others Lepidoptera species and five bugs species emerged from panicles. The impact of sap sucking bugs on the sorghum production deserve more attention in the future.
The development of Callosobruchus maculatus depends on the availability of bambara groundnut seeds (Vigna subterranea) These seeds are used as oviposition sites and a food source for larvae. The scarcity of this resource induces intraspecific competition that can impact fecundity and population dynamics. This study explores the mechanisms of this competition and its effects on species regulation. Experiments were conducted by varying the seed mass (2 to 20 g in increments of 2 g) for females no more than 24 hours old throughout their lives. The 10 g mass, considered favorable for females, was fed to 2, 3, 4, and 5 females to assess oviposition, larval development, fecundity, and sex ratio. One, five, ten, fifteen, and twenty larvae of all instars (L1, L2, L3, L4) were introduced into tubes containing 10 g of seed in the presence of a 24-hour-old female to evaluate its effect on oviposition. The results show that the average number of eggs laid by a female (71.8 ± 13.37) is dependent on the number of seed. Egg-laying is concentrated at the beginning (39 ± 5.76 eggs in the first few days) before gradually decreasing (6.46 ± 4.6 at the end of the period). With one female per 10 g of seed, fecundity remains high (>80%) and the sex ratio is 0.9. In the presence of more than three females, egg-laying drops significantly (24 eggs for five females) and the sex ratio shifts towards males.Egg laying decreases in the presence of larvae (22.6) for stage 4. These results indicate that the limited availability of seeds leads to competitive exclusion between females, thus contributing to the natural regulation of C. maculatus populations in bambara groundnut stocks. Résumé Le développement de Callosobruchus maculatus dépend de la disponibilité des graines de voandzou (Vigna subterranea). utilisées comme site de ponte et source de nourriture pour les larves. La rareté de cette ressource induit une compétition intraspécifique pouvant impacter la fécondité et la dynamique de la population. Cette étude explore les mécanismes de cette compétition et ses effets sur la régulation de l’espèce. Des expériences ont été menées en faisant varier la masse des graines (2 à 20 g par pas de 2) pour une femelle âgée de 24h au plus durant toute sa vie. La masse 10 g favorable pour une femelle a été servie à 2, 3,4, 5 femelles pour évaluer la ponte, le développement larvaire, la fécondité et le sex-ratio. 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 larves de tous les stades (L1, L2, L3, L4) ont été introduites dans les tubes contenant 10g en présence d’une femelle de 24h, pour évaluer son effet sur la ponte. Les résultats montrent que le nombre moyen d’œufs pondus par une femelle (71,8 ±13,37) est dépendant de la masse de graines. La ponte est principalement concentrée au début (39±5,76 œufs aux premiers jours) avant de diminuer progressivement (6,46±4,6 en fin de période). Avec une femelle sur 10 g de graines, la fécondité reste élevée (>80 %) et le sex-ratio est de 0,9. En présence de plus de trois femelles, la ponte chute significativement (24 œufs pour cinq femelles) et le sex-ratio est en faveur de mâles. La ponte diminue en présence des larves (22,6) pour le stade 4. Ces résultats indiquent que la disponibilité limitée des graines entraîne une exclusion compétitive entre femelles, contribuant ainsi à la régulation naturelle des populations de C. maculatus dans les stocks de voandzou
This study evaluated the potential of maggot meal as a partial substitute for fishmeal in the diet of Heterotis niloticus to improve aquaculture sustainability in Cameroon, where fishmeal is costly and scarce. Conducted between April and June 2024 at IRAD Nkolbisson, the experiment involved 240 juvenile fish distributed in eight hapas and fed four isoprotein and isoenergetic diets containing 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% maggot meal. Results showed that survival and growth performance were significantly influenced by diet. The best zootechnical performance, including weight gain, specific growth rates, and feed conversion ratio, was achieved with the 50% maggot meal diet, which also showed high survival. Although the 75% substitution diet had the lowest production cost, the 50% level provided the best balance between growth and profitability. The study concludes that maggot meal can effectively replace up to 50% of fishmeal in H. niloticus diets, enhancing economic efficiency in developing-country aquaculture.
L’anacardier (Anacardium occidentale L.) est une plante fruitière cultivée et exportée pour sa noix de cajou. Cependant, il est confronté à des nombreuses maladies qui entravent sa production depuis la pépinière jusqu’au champ. Le but de ce travail est donc d’inventorier les maladies majeures de l’anacardier en pépinière et après transplantation en champ dans la Région de l’Extrême-Nord, Cameroun. L’étude a été menée dans 3 Arrondissements ; Maroua 1er pour les études en pépinière, Bogo et Mindif pour les études en champ. Le dispositif expérimental utilisé était en blocs simples. Les maladies ont été identifiées à l’aide des clés d’identification ; l’incidence et la sévérité ont été évaluées pendant la saison sèche et la saison des pluies en pépinière et en champ sur les plants d’un et deux ans. La prévalence des maladies et la taille des plants ont aussi été évaluées. Huit (08) maladies, l’alternariose, le dessèchement des bourgeons, l’anthracnose, la bactériose, la gommose et les viroses (1,2 et 3) ont été identifiées en champ ; pourtant, seulement trois d’entre eux (virose 1, anthracnose et bactériose) étaient présents en pépinière. Les incidences et les sévérités les plus élevées ont été obtenue en champ sur les plants de deux ans et en saison de pluie sur l’anthracnose (75 % et 30 %) dans le site de Bogo et sur l’alternariose (66,66 % et 30,5 %) dans le site de Mindif. La prévalence la plus élevée, a été obtenue avec l’anthracnose (100 %). Les maladies de l’anacardier, en nombre et en intensité, semblent évoluer de la pépinière au champ quel que soit le site d’implantation. Il serait donc judicieux de mettre en place les moyens de lutte dès le stade pépinière afin de minimiser le risque de contamination en champ, pour booster le rendement de production en noix. Abstract The cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale L.) is a fruit tree cultivated and exported for its cashew nuts. However, it is affected by numerous diseases that hinder its production from the nursery to the field. The aim of this study is therefore to inventory the major diseases affecting cashew trees in nurseries and after transplantation to the field in the Far North Region of Cameroon. The study was carried out in three districts: Maroua 1 for nursery studies, Bogo and Mindif for field studies. The experimental design used was a simple block design. The diseases were identified using identification keys; incidence and severity were assessed during the dry season and the rainy season in nurseries and in the field on one- and two-year-old plants. Disease prevalence and plant size were also assessed. Eight (08) diseases, Alternaria, bud blight, anthracnose, bacterial blight, gummosis, and virosis (1, 2, and 3) were identified in the field; however, only three of them (virosis 1, anthracnose, and bacterial blight) were present in the nursery. The highest incidence and severity were observed in the field on two-year-old plants and during the rainy season for anthracnose (75 % and 30 %) at the Bogo site and for Alternaria leaf spot (66.66 % and 30.5 %) at the Mindif site. highest prevalence was obtained with anthracnose (100 %). Cashew tree diseases, in terms of number and intensity, seem to increase from the nursery to the field regardless of the planting site. It would therefore be wise to implement control measures from the nursery stage in order to minimize the risk of contamination in the field and boost nut production yields.
This study aims to selected techno-functional lactic bacteria’s (LAB) and yeast strains able to be used as dehydrated starters for Chad Bili-bili production. To achieve this objective, LABs and yeasts were isolate from forty-five Bili-bili samples collected in N’Djamena and evaluated for their alcoholic, osmotic and acidic stress tolerance, maltose assimilation, acidifying, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, and safety. A bio-guided selection approach was applied to obtain promising techno-functional isolates, whose cells were subsequently dehydrated at 40°C for 6 h, and cell viability was evaluated. Isolates exhibiting the highest survival rates were selected for molecular identification using 16S rRNA gene sequencing for LAB and 5.8S rRNA gene sequencing for yeast. As a result, a total of 153 isolates were obtained after multiple purification steps, including 67 lactic acid bacteria (36 Group III and 31 Group II Lactobacillus) and 86 yeasts, representing the predominant microbiota of Bili-bili. Only 10 LABs and 12 yeasts survived the stress conditions and are safe based on their none biogenic amine, gelatinase, hemolysin and H2S production. The selected LAB isolates exhibited notable acidifying activity (ΔpH ranging from 2.10 ± 0.01 to 3.79 ± 0.18) while yeasts isolates produced ethanol ranging from 3.74 ± 0.13% to 7.40±0.04%. Functionally, LABs and yeasts isolates demonstrated antioxidant scavenging capacity through their supernatants, intracellular contents, and whole cells, with inhibition levels. The percentage of DPPH° and hydroxyl radical inhibition values for each isolate show that the intracellular contents, cells, and culture supernatants of all isolate’s scavenging capacities vary from isolate to another (7.41±0.58 - 76.43±0.40). Five LAB isolates (SB-21, SB-69, SB-23, SB-12, and SB-26) exhibited antimicrobial activity on agar plates, with inhibition zones ranging from 9 ± 0.1mm to 39 ± 1.41 mm against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia fergusonii. Isolates SB-21 (68.00%) and SL-55 (66.96%) exhibited good resistance to dry and were identified as Limosilactobacillus fermentum_SB-21 and Wickerhamomyces anomalus_SL-55 respectively. Bili-bili microbiota contains techno-functional LABs and yeasts able to withstand fermentation stress, making them suitable as a dehydrated starter for producing hygienic and nutritious desirable Bili-bili.
As Editors in Chiefs, we are grateful to all colleagues and researchers who have put aside their daily duties to provide their expertise in the manuscripts submitted to the Cameroon Journal of Experimental Biology. Words are not enough to appreciate your time used and effort to improve the quality of articles published in this journal during 2023 and 2025. We will be happy to have more collaboration with you either by receiving your manuscripts and/or having your expertise on submitted manuscripts. Sincerely, Professor Hilaire Macaire Womeni, Editor-in-Chief & Professor Maurice Ducret Awouafack, deputy Editor-in-Chief
Spices are good and enriched source of bioactive moieties with high antioxidant activity, meaning the ability to scavenge free radicals and protect the body against damages caused by oxidative stress. In the present work, the vegetable oils (VO) extracted with hexane by the Soxhlet method from fruits of Afrostyrax lepydoplyllus, Scorodophloeus zenkeri and Zanthoxylum leprieuri were analyzed by gas chromatography; then antiradical activity was assessed by DPPH, FRAP and hydroxyl radical scavenging methods. From the chemical analysis, sixteen different fatty acids and mostly polyunsaturated have been identified in the three oils. The major fatty acids were oleic acid, linoleic acid, and palmitic acid. A. lepidophyllus oil was the most active of these oils against the three radicals (with EC50 value of 2323.41 µg/mL against DPPH, FRAP value of 28.09 µmol FeSO4/g and absorbance of 0.209 at concentration of 100 µg/mL against HO·) From the datas, we can conclud that these spices are not only important sources of essential fatty acids, but also their consumption can help to protect human being against the harmful effects of oxidative stress. This research work is the first report of the antioxidant activities of vegetable oils from the fruits of Afrostyrax lepidophylus, Scorodophloeus zenkeri and Zanthoxylum leprieuri.
This study aimed at evaluating the effect of palm oil, African walnut oil and their blends in the management of obesity in high fat diet induced-obese Wistar rats. The oils were initially analyzed for their quality. Obesity was induced for 60 days and treated for 28 days using oils [1000 mg/Kg of palm oil or African walnut oil or palm oil: African walnut oil (50:50) or African walnut oil or palm oil: African walnut oil (60:40)] and orlistat (10 mg/Kg). Animals’ weights, food intake, lee index, behavioural test and organs’ weight were recorded. Thereafter the animals were sacrificed, blood was collected and the serum prepared from it. The serum was used for the evaluation of the lipid profile, serum enzymes and creatinine. Results showed that the oils used were confirmed to have good quality (peroxide value: 2.52-3.87 meq O2/kg; p-anisidine value: 8.24-12.33, TOTOX value: 13.37-19.46). Organ weights were not significantly different (p>0.05) across the groups. However, pancreas weight for the negative control were significantly higher (1.54) than all the groups. Palm oil, African walnut oil and their 50:50 and 60:40 blends significantly (p<0.05) decreased body weight, serum lipids (total cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein cholesterol), TOTAL/High density lipoprotein cholesterol and atherogenic index but increased HDL-C among groups though non-significant. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatinine were significantly decreased (p<0.05). For Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, the negative control and groups treated with 100% (WO), 50:50 (PO: WO) and 60:40 (PO: WO) presented a higher (p<0.05) ALT concentration while a decrease was observed in the other groups. Hence it can be concluded that African walnut oil and their 60:40 and 50:50 blends can be good for the management of obesity.
Abstract: Background: Keetia venosa also called Canthium venosum is a medicinal plant used in Cameroon traditional medicine to treat ailments such as pain. Aim: This study was undertaken to evaluate both antihyperalgesic and the anti-nociceptive effects of the aqueous and ethanol extracts from the fruit of Keetia venosa Methods: Inflammatory pain was induced by subplantar injection of 100 µl of CFA in rats. Both extracts were administered orally at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/ day, their antihyperalgesic effects were follow in acute and chronic treatment. Oxidative stress parameters (NO, MDA and glutathione) were measured at the level of left and right brain and spinal cord of rats. Also, specific tests such as formalin, allyl isothiocyanate, mechanical and cold allodinya were conducted to evaluate mechanism of action of the extracts. Results: The acute and chronic administration of aqueous and ethanol extracts at all the doses significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01and P<0.001) increased pain threshold on mechanical hyperalgesia induced by analgesimeter on CFA-induced pain model. Both extracts at all doses significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01and P<0.001) , reduced neurogenic and inflammatory pain induced by formalin with higher effect(50.26 and 77.77%) observed for the neurogenic phase with the aqueous extract at the dose of 100 mg/kg, and for the inflammatory phase with the ethanol extract at the same dose respectively. Moreover, giving orally, both extracts significantly inhibited pain induced by allyl isothiocyanate (dose dependant manner for ethanol extract) as well as reduced hypersensitivity provoked by acetone (dose dependant manner) and von Frey hair in the same pain model. Subsequenty, the ethanol extract on oxidative stress parameters significantly (P<0.05 and P<0.001) and in dose dependant manner reduced the NO level in the right brain and also significantly (P<0.05) increase the level of glutathione in same hemisphere. Conclusion: The antihypernociceptive and antinociceptive effect observed after oral administration of Aqueous and methanol extracts from Keetia venosa fruits seem to be mediated through the inactivation of TRP (TRPA1 and TRPM8) and decreasing of NO level. This may justify the use in Cameroonian folke medicine. Keywords: Keetia venosa, anti-hyperalgesia, Aqueous and ethanol extract, Nitric oxide, glutathione, TRP.
La viande grillée est un aliment très apprécié par les consommateurs de par ses caractéristiques organoleptiques et nutritionnelles mais sa qualité microbiologique suscite les inquiétudes. L’objectif de ce travail était de ressortir le procédé de production et d’évaluer la qualité nutritionnelle et micrologique de la viande grillée de ruminants commercialisée dans la commune de N’Djamena. Une enquête a été menée dans la période d’avril à mai 2022 dans les dix arrondissements de la commune de N’Djamena impliquant 525 grilleurs et 750 consommateurs. Les analyses physicochimiques et microbiologiques ont été effectués sur quatre-vingt-dix (90) échantillons collectés repartis en deux lots de 45(15 pour bœuf, chèvre, mouton). La viande grillée de ruminants commercialisée dans la commune de N’Djamena est produite via les opérations unitaires suivantes: Réception, nettoyage, désossage(bovin), découpage (caprin et ovin), assaisonnement, grillade, découpe, réchauffage et conditionnement. Plusieurs pratiques à risques de biocontamination ont été relevées parmi lesquelles la non détention de certificat médical (90,4 %), pas de formation en bonne pratique de grillade (96,2 %) et d’hygiène (86 %) ,la proximité du dispositif de grillade avec la route (86 %), des tas d’ordures (8,3 %) et une insalubrité des locaux (72 ¨%). Une différence significative (P<0,05) a été obtenue entre les teneurs en protéines et en fer des différentes viandes grillées qui variaient entre 51,50±2,03- 52,7±2,21 et 7,34±2,44-5,11±2,04 respectivement avec les plus hautes teneurs retrouvées chez les échantillons de viandes de bœuf. Tous les échantillons étaient contaminés par la FMAT, E. coli et les levures et moisissures et les Salmonelles détectés dans 2,2% de viande bovine. Une maitrise du procédé de production, l’applications des mesures d’hygiènes strictes ainsi que la mise en place en place des actions correctives permettraient l’obtention des produits de meilleure qualité nutritionnelle et microbiologique afin de préserver la santé des consommateurs.
This study was done to evaluate the nutritional, phytochemical and functional properties of Parkia biglobosa seeds and study the impact of some processing methods on these parameters. Fresh Parkia biglobosa seeds were separated into 4 parts. The first served as control, the second group was divided into two subgroups which where respectively fermented for 3 and 6 days; the third group was divided into 2 subgroups which were respectively roasted in an oven at 175℃ for 20 and 40 minutes; and the last group was divided into two subgroups which were microwaved for 15 and 30 minutes at the highest frequency. All samples were dehydrated in the oven at 60℃, blended and sieved for further analysis. The nutritional, phytochemical and functional attributes of flours were assessed. Results showed that P. biglobosa had good nutritional content, with lipid, protein, and carbohydrate contents ranging between 36.93 – 42.31%, 27.56 – 45.06% and 11.42 – 18.22% respectively. Oven roasting increased the lipid content. Fermentation 3 days and oven roasting 20 minutes increased its protein content while microwaving 15 minutes significantly increased the carbohydrate. The seeds were also found to be rich in calcium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorous and sodium, but poor in iron. They exhibited poor phytochemical characteristics but good functional properties with most of the applied processing methods. The overall data suggest that microwaving for 15 minutes, fermenting the seeds for 3 days and oven roasting for 15 minutes could be the best processing methods used preserve its nutrients for consumption. Parkia biglobosa seeds can be recommended for the production, consumption and use in the formulation or preparation of food for adults and infants.
Small ruminants are important animal genetic resources in the tropics and play a significant role in many developing countries for food, and socio-economic aspects. Given a contribution in the genetic resources of sheep for their better utilisation, this study aims to describe the indigenous sheep (Ovis aries) for their body measurements, morphological characteristics and major genes with visible effect on the phenotype in Cameroon Bimodal Rainforest (CBR) and Sudano-Sahelian (SS) agroecological zones. Qualitative traits show that sheep are multicoloured, with the predominance of the white spotted with black colour (75.06%) and white spotted with brown (15.17%). However, other coat colour traits, including black (1.67%) and brown (0.56%), were less represented. Some sheep wear wattles (4.5%) and manes (11.80%). Horns are primarily present in rams. The main body measurements were evaluated in cm as follows: the chest depth (43.82±5.58), the heart girth (75.44±8.71), the scapulo-ischial length (60.46±6.41), height at withers (75.16±9.23), head length (22.08±2.91), tail length (36.42±8.14) and ear length (16.08±3.82). Although the above studies were conducted in various localities by different researchers, there is little information on the genetic diversity of sheep in Cameroon. Studies such as molecular polymorphisms and genotyping associated with phylogeny are quite necessary in order to deepen the genetic differences between and within sheep populations.
Hyperlipidemia is a condition in which the concentration of lipids in blood is higher than normal due to a high fat diet. Statins being drugs of choice for treatment may cause adverse effects in some patients such as muscle pain. The aim of this study was to determine the therapeutic benefit of two fish oils (Tilapia oil and mackerel oil) as potential preventive medicine on hyperlipidemia induced in rats and to determine their antioxidant potentials. Physicochemical analysis of the Tilapia sparrmanii (Tilapia) oil and Scomber scombrus (Mackerel) oil revealed that % free fatty acids ranged from 0.98-0.87%, iodine value was high and ranged from 118.41 to 134.64g I2.100g, peroxide value from 7.94 to 4.46meq/kg oil, P-anisidine Value from 18.57 to 12.58 and Totox value from 34.45 to 21.50 respectively. For in-vivo studies of the health benefit of the oils, male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided in to seven groups of 5 animals each. Each group was fed differently as follows: normal rat diet, negative control (hyperlipidemic diet), positive control (atorvastatin drug), experimental groups fed with fish oils and a combination of fish oil and drug, fed for 28days. Body weight measurement and behavioral testing were done weekly. Animals were then sacrificed for lipid profiling and determination of antioxidant properties. Body weight increased generally in all the groups with the positive control and the experimental groups increasing least and the negative control increasing most. Both tilapia and mackerel fish oils decreased total cholesterol (mg/dL) respectively from 46.58 to 31.9 and 32.9, triglycerides (11.29 to 5.42 and 4.37), low density lipoprotein (19.8 to 7.05 and 12.65) significantly (p<0.05) and increased high density lipoprotein (7.15 to 14.96 and 15.53) with only mackerel showing a significant increase (p<0.05), at 95% confidence interval. Both tilapia and mackerel fish oils also showed a similar effect respectively in reducing malondialdehyde (1.25 to 0.54 and 0.63 µM) and nitric oxide (3.75 to 2.41 and 2.84 µM) while increasing glutathione (10.76 to 12.08 to 11.26 µM) significantly (p<0.05) in the liver. Thus, from the mean results, both fish oils demonstrate antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant potentials.
West African dwarf (WAD) bucks are the most raised goats for meat in the Southwestern part of Nigeria and it is associated with low productivity. This initiated efforts towards improving semen quality with known natural antioxidant such as lycopene present in some fruits. Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) is one of the most abundant source of lycopene and the most readily available in our locality. Thirty sexually matured WAD bucks were randomly allotted into five treatments in a completely randomized design. Treatment A was the negative control (no supplement), B - the positive control with pure lycopene while C, D, E were fed 1.0, 1.5, 2.0g tomato powder per kg feed respectively. The duration of the experiment was ninety days. Semen was collected with artificial vagina (AV) at 30days intervals. The result showed that the length of administration had significant (p<0.05) effect on semen volume and sperm concentration. The higher the inclusion of the tomato powder the higher (p<0.05) the semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility and morphological normal spermatozoa. The study showed positive effect of tomato powder supplementation on semen characteristics and that it could be used continuously at 1.5g/ kg feed for as long as 90days.
Background: Several lines of evidence reveal a pathogenic role of insulin resistance on renal dysfunction. Desmodium uncinatum is traditionally used to treat diabetes and its complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the aqueous extract of Desmodium uncinatum on renal dysfunction in insulin-resistant Wistar rats. Methodology: Insulin resistance was induced by administration of high fat diet (HFD) for 42 days followed by a concomitant administration of 40% ethanol for 14 days. Normal control received distilled water while insulin resistant rats were treated with distilled water (for negative control group), metformin (100 mg/kg) or the aqueous extract of Desmodium uncinatum (91; 182 and 273 mg/kg). Treatments started at the day 57 and were giving orally for 14 days. Insulin tolerance test was performed at the end of the treatment period. Subsequently, 24-hour urine was collected for the determination of urinary (creatinine, albumin, sodium and potassium). Animals were then sacrificed and blood serum was collected for serum creatinine and lipid profile determination. Kidneys were removed for assessment of redox status and histological analysis. Result: The results obtained showed that HFD + ethanol (40%) successfully induced insulin resistance in rats. Negative control group showed a significant decrease of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (p<0.001), urinary sodium (p<0.001) and creatinine (p<0.05) and a significant increase of albumineria (p<0.001), urinary potassium (p<0.001), and serum creatinine (p<0.01). The diet also markedly altered lipid profile of rats and provoked a renal oxidative stress and damages on kidney structure. The aqueous extract of Desmodium uncinatum reversed all these alterations by increasing insulin sensitivity and restored the integrity of kidney tissue and function. Conclusion: These results suggest that the aqueous extract of Desmodium uncinatum can be beneficial in the management of HFD+ethanol-induced insulin resistance and its renal complications.
Résumé Dans le but de connaitre l’importance de la végétation de l’arrondissement de Martap, les travaux se sont déroulés pendant une période de trois mois, allant de mai à août. Durant cette période, une interview structurée et semi-structurée a été effectuée auprès de 120 ménages à raison de 30 ménages par village. Le questionnaire était axé, d’une part, sur l’impact social de l’exploitation de la végétation et d’autre part, sur l’impact environnemental de cette dernière. Pour une gestion durable de la végétation de l’arrondissement de Martap, une certaine idée proposée au préalable a été retenue auprès des interviewés. Par ailleurs, le dispositif expérimental est un split-splot à deux facteurs : le premier facteur est constitué des villages (Bawa, Lissey-Mayo, Maloua et Marko) qui sont les traitements principaux ; le second facteur est constitué des différentes placettes (Répétition 1, Répétition 2, Répétition 3, Répétition 4, Répétition 5) qui sont les traitements spécifiques. En outre, il ressort de ce travail que les fruits les plus consommés dans cette localité sont entre autres : Syzygium guineense (23,00 ± 3,55), Annona senegalensis (19,75 ± 0,95), Carissa edulis (19,00 ± 3,16) et Vittellaria paradoxa (19,00 ± 3,36). Les espèces les plus prisées pour la médecine traditionnelle ne sont rien d’autre que : Khaya senegalensis (3,75 ± 0,96), Sarcocephalus latifolius (3,25 ± 0,96) et Vittellaria paradoxa (3,00 ± 1,15). Les causes majeures de la perte de la végétation sont prioritairement l’agriculture et l’élevage qui se matérialisent par la rareté des espèces telles que : Khaya senegalensis (6,69 ± 2,33), Uapaca togoensis (6,17 ± 2,86) et Milicia excelsa (5,84 ± 2,78). L’exploitation abusive des essences forestières pourrait conduire à une catastrophe inédite. Pour éviter cela, le foyer amélioré a été proposé comme issue favorable pour la gestion de la végétation, auquel s’ajoute l’utilisation des forêts comme puits de carbone. Abstract In order to know the importance of the vegetation of the Martap district, the work took place over a period of three months, from May to August. During this period, a structured and semi-structured interview was conducted with 120 households at a rate of 30 households per village. The questionnaire was focused, on the one hand, on the social impact of the exploitation of vegetation and on the other hand, on the environmental impact of the latter. For sustainable management of the vegetation of the Martap district, a certain idea proposed beforehand was retained with the interviewees. In addition, the experimental device is a split-plot with two factors: the first factor is made up of the villages (Bawa, Lissey-Mayo, Maloua and Marko) which are the main treatments; the second factor is made up of the different plots (Repetition 1, Repetition 2, Repetition 3, Repetition 4, Repetition 5) which are the specific treatments. In addition, it emerges from this work that the most consumed fruits in this locality are among others: Syzygium guineense (23.00 ± 3.55), Annona senegalensis (19.75 ± 0.95), Carissa edulis (19.00 ± 3.16) and Vittellaria paradoxa (19.00 ± 3.36). The most prized species for traditional medicine are none other than: Khaya senegalensis (3.75 ± 0.96), Sarcocephalus latifolius (3.25 ± 0.96) and Vittellaria paradoxa (3.00 ± 1.15). The major causes of vegetation loss are primarily agriculture and livestock breeding, which are materialized by the rarity of species such as: Khaya senegalensis (6.69 ± 2.33), Uapaca togoensis (6.17 ± 2.86) and Milicia excelsa (5.84 ± 2.78). The abusive exploitation of forest species could lead to an unprecedented disaster. To avoid this, the improved hearth has been proposed as a favorable outcome for vegetation management, to which is added the use of forests as carbon.
Aim: Sexual dysfunction is an important consequence of diabetes. Recently, several studies have demonstrated that Dracaena arborea (D. arborea) extracts had alleviating effects against two and four weeks diabetes-induced sexual complications in rats, but no data has confirmed these effects in long-term diabetic rats. This study was therefore undertaken to assess the androgenic effects of D. arborea extracts in rats, after ten weeks of diabetes. Methodology: Diabetes was induced in rats using streptozotocine (50 mg/kg, i.p). Besides 6 normal rats treated with distilled water (10 mL/kg, control group), 30 diabetic rats divided into five groups of six rats each were administered by gavage for 4 weeks with 10 ml/kg of distilled water (10 ml/kg, diabetic control/STZ group), 1.44 mg/kg of Sildenafil citrate, 20 mg/kg of Trimethylamine-N- oxide (TMAO), 500 mg/kg of aqueous and 100 mg/kg of ethanol extracts of D. arborea respectively. In this study, blood glucose level, body mass, relative sexual organs masses, sexual behavior and fertility parameters, total proteins levels, SOD and CAT activities, serum and testicular testosterone concentration as well as testes and epididymis histology were determined. Results: Compared to the control rats, persistent hyperglycemia, sexual parameters and sexual organs impairments were recorded in rats after ten weeks of diabetes. In comparison to the diabetic control rats, D. arborea extracts, with no anti-hyperglycemic effects has induced significant improvements in copulatory and fertility parameters, total proteins and testosterone levels in the serum, epididymis and testes, and on testes and epididymis structures. Conclusion: These results could be accredited to the androgenic assets of chemical constituents present in D. arborea extracts. These outcomes could be advantageous for the management of patients under long-term diabetes-induced sexual complications.
Résumé Les populations rurales d’Afrique subsaharienne dépendent fortement des ressources naturelles pour leur bien-être social et économique. Les connaissances endogènes capitalisées sur les plantes peuvent varier d’une communauté à une autre, et le partage de ces savoirs locaux contribue à leur valorisation et conservation. L’objectif du présent travail est d’analyser les perceptions paysannes sur la disponibilité, les usages, et les stratégies endogènes de préservation de Garcinia lucida, Scorodophloeus zenkeri et Alstonia boonei, trois espèces à Produits Forestiers Non Ligneux (PFNL). Des questionnaires semi-structurés avec des questions ouvertes ont été soumis entre septembre 2021 et juin 2022 dans trois villages de la commune de Bipindi (Grand-zambi, Petit-zambi et Madoungou). Les informations concernant les caractéristiques socioculturelles et économiques, les types d'utilisation, les méthodes de récolte des espèces ont été collectées. Le logiciel Xlstat version 2016 et le tableur Excel ont été utilisés pour analyser les données. Au total, 111 personnes ont été enquêtées et il ressort de cette étude que 73,87 % des hommes et 26,13 % des femmes utilisent les trois espèces pour leurs besoins (alimentaires et médicinaux), l’espèce la plus disponible et la plus abondante durant toutes les périodes dans l’année est S. zenkeri car elle est n arbre de jachère. Le village grand-zambi (54,05 %) est le plus impliqué dans le prélèvement des trois espèces étudiées, suivi du village petit-zambi (35,14 %) et Madoungou (10,81 %). Les écorces (98,23 %) sont les parties les plus utilisées par les populations riveraines, suivies des feuilles (1,77 %). La préservation de l’identité culturelle est la raison du recours aux PFNL la plus citée par les populations riveraines avec 53,38 %, suivi de la disponibilité (19,54 %) et des satisfactions après usage (18,04 %). Le respect du seuil de prélèvement est la pratique de gestion durable des ressources la plus utilisée par les riverains (34,07 %). Les résultats de cette étude constituent une base de données indispensable pour la meilleure gestion et conservation de Garcinia lucida, Scorodophloeus zenkeri et Alstonia boonei afin de lutter contre la pauvreté en milieu rural. Abstract Rural populations in sub-Saharan Africa highly rely on natural resources for their social and economic well-being. The endogenous knowledge capitalized on plants may vary from one community to another, and the sharing of this local knowledge contributes to their valorization and conservation. The aim of the present work is to analyze farmers' perceptions of the availability, uses and the endogenous preservation strategies of Garcinia lucida, Scorodophloeus zenkeri and Alstonia boonei, three non-timber forest product (NTFP) species. Semi-structured questionnaires with open-ended questions were submitted between September 2021 and June 2022 in three villages in the commune of Bipindi (Grand-zambi, Petit-zambi and Madoungou). The information on socio-cultural and economic characteristics, types of use and species harvesting methods was collected. Xlstat version 2016 software and Excel spreadsheet were used to analyze the data. A total of 111 people were interviewed, and the results show that 73.87 % of men and 26.13 % of women use the three species for their needs (food and medicine), with S. zenkeri being the most available and abundant species at all times of year, as it is a fallow tree. The grand-zambi village (54.05 %) is the most involved in the collection of the three species studied, followed by the petit-zambi village (35.14 %) and Madoungou (10.81 %). The stem bark (98.23 %) is the part most used by local populations, followed by leaves (1.77 %). The preservation of the cultural identity is the reason for NTFP use most cited by local people (53.38 %), followed by the availability (19.54 %) and the satisfaction after use (18.04 %). Respecting the harvesting threshold is the sustainable resource management practice most used by local population (34.07 %). The results of this study constitute an indispensable database for the improved management and conservation of Garcinia lucida, Scorodophloeus zenkeri and Alstonia boonei in order to fight poverty in rural areas.
Human menopausal gonadotropins (HMG) or menotrophinhas been effectively used for ovarian stimulation in clinical practice in human. It comes in different trade names such as Pergonal, Humegon, Repronex, etc which contains mixtures of both human pituitary hormones (Follicle stimulating hormone, FSH and Luteinizing hormone, LH) in different proportions. FSH and LH are produced by the anterior pituitary gland to stimulate the ovaries for the process of steroidogenesis and ovulation. However, its use in follicular manipulation in West African Dwarf (WAD) goat is limited which necessitated this study on the evaluation of the effects of HMG on growth and reproductive performance of the WAD doe. Thirty adult female WAD goats with initial weights of 16 – 26kg and between 1to 2years old were used for this study. The animals were quarantined for two weeks during which they were treated for endo and ectoparasites using ivermectini/m. They were allowed access to feed and forages (Panicum maximum and Pennisetumpurpureum), and water ad-libitum. The animals were later assigned to three treatments (A, B, C) after equalization of weights with two replicates made up of five animals each. Animals in treatment A were administered normal saline (0.2 mL) while those in treatments B and C were given 0.1ml(4IU) and 0.2 mL (8IU) of HMG per 19kg weights respectively thrice in a week. The duration of the experiment was 3months. Daily feed offered and refusals were recorded along with body weights which was taken forthnightly after the initial weights. Blood samples were collected into ethylene diaminetetracetic acid (EDTA) coated bottles for haematology evaluation and plain bottles for serum and hormonal assay by jugular venipuncture at the end of experiment. The result of the study showed that HMG administration had significant effect (p<0.05) on height at withers, heart-girth, body-length, head length, tail length and rump width. It caused significant increase in neutrophils, eosinophils and monocytes while reducing lymphocytes, basophils and procalcitonin. There was also significant increase in total protein, albumin and alkaline phosphatase with reduction in creatinine, sodium, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. It also led to significant increase in progesterone and triglycerides while FSH significantly reduced. It could therefore be concluded that HMG had no appreciable effects on morphometric indices; it stabilizes progesterone and triglycerides at 0.2 mL (8IU). It is recommended that the use of HMG should be limited to 0.2 mL (8IU) intramuscular injection at 3times per week.
