Clinical & Experimental Cardiology
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9880
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 2155-9880
+44 1300 500008
Benedict Onoja1 and Daniel Ezeasor2
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Clin Exp Cardiolog
Fifteen female grass cutters, obtained from David Mark Farms, Otukpo, Benue State, Nigeria, were used for the study. They were randomly assigned to 3 groups of 5 each according to their ages; 1-3 months, 4-6 months and 7-9 months. The live weights of the grasscutters were obtained. They were then euthanized with chloroform in an air-tight container. The ovaries were carefully dissected out and observed for gross features. The morphometry was also obtained. The ovaries were sliced into bits and fixed in 10% Bouin?s Solution and 10% neutral-buffered formalin of equal volume for 24 hours and processed routinely for light microscopy. Photomicrographs of the sections were taken using Moticam MC 2001 digital camera. The data were subjected to one-way analysis of variance. Variant means were separated using Duncan?s multiple range test. Significance was accepted at p < 0.05. The mean organo-somatic indices of the ovaries at 1-3 months (0.51 � 0.08) were significantly (p < 0.05) less than those at 4-6 months (1.09 � 0.11), and these were also significantly (p < 0.05) less than those at 7-9 months (1.83 � 0.14) of age. Graafian follicles, absent at 1-6 months, were present at 7-9 months. The female grasscutter could thus be said to attain puberty at 7 months of age. Earlier studies revealed that the grasscutter meat is white, with high protein but low cholesterol content. It could be inferred that as more grasscutters would be bred at 7 months, more cholesterol-free meat would be available for consumption. This improves heart function.
Onoja, Benedict Onuhas completed his MSc at the age of 38 years from University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. He is a lecturer in the Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. He has 4 papers in reputed journals. He is a registered member of Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, where he served for 4 years as the Publicity Secretary, and also a registered member of Veterinary Council of Nigeria. He has been the Secretary Genaral of University of Nigeria Alumni Association, Benue State Branch for 3 years. He is married with 2 kids.