This study evaluated the usefulness of morphological characteristics to distinguish two important indigenous goat breeds in Nigeria. Fifteen morphometric traits were measured on West African Dwarf -WAD (n = 160) and Red Sokoto -RS (n = 142) goats that ranged in age of up to 19 months and were reared extensively in villages in southern and northern Nigeria. Univariate analysis revealed that the body measures of RS goats were significantly higher than those of WAD goats. Canonical discriminant analysis gave better resolution, as only seven external morphological characteristics of strong discriminating power were extracted. The most discriminant variable between the two goat populations was rump height, followed in order by body length, horn length, face length, chest girth, neck circumference and head width. The discriminant function obtained correctly classified 100% of individuals from the sample of known goat populations. The classification accuracy of the function was cross-validated using the split-sample method, and indicated a 99.7% success rate (99.4% of WAD goats and 100% of RS goats were correctly assigned to their source genetic group). This study indicates that a discriminant tool may be used successfully in the field to separate WAD and RS goats. The present results could be complemented by molecular characterization using DNA markers for better management and conservation strategies of genetic resources for indigenous goats.

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Magnesium has been reported to improve glucose utilization in diabetes mellitus. However, information on its effects on anemic and inflammatory markers in diabetes mellitus is limited. This study investigated the effect of oral magnesium (Mg) treatment on some markers of anemia and inflammation in 25 male Wistar rats. Rats (200 ± 15 g) were randomly divided into five groups (n = 5). Group 1 was control (received orally 0.2 mL distilled water daily), group 2 (Diabetic Untreated), group 3 (Diabetic Mg treated-100 mg/kg bw), group 4 (Diabetic Mg treated-250 mg/kg bw), group 5 (Diabetic Insulin treated-1 IU/kg bw). Diabetes was induced with a single dose of alloxan (100 mg/kg intraperitoneal (i.p.)). All treatments were done for 14 days. Anemic and inflammatory markers were investigated on blood samples obtained from each animal using standard laboratory methods. Significant increase (p < 0.05) in total white blood cell (WBC) count was observed in diabetic untreated rats (7.67 ± 0.397 × 10/L) compared to control (5.88 ± 0.25 × 10/L), DMg 100 (5.86 ± 0.74 × 10/L) and DMg 250 (5.06 ± 0.78 × 10/L). Hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume (PCV) and red blood cell (RBC) count was decreased (p < 0.05) in DU compared to control, DMg 100, and DI rats. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in DU compared to control, DMg 100, DMg 250, and DI groups. Fibrinogen level was increased (p < 0.05) in DU rats (0.44 ± 0.02 g/dL) compared to control(0.26 ± 0.02 g/dL). Values obtained in DMg 100 (0.30 ± 0.03 g/dL), DMg 250 (0.22 ± 0.04 g/dL), and DI (0.36 ± 0.02 g/dL) rats were comparable to control (0.26 ± 0.02 g/dL). Total protein, albumin, and globulin levels were decreased in DU rats compared to normal control, DMg 100, DMg 250, and DI rats. In conclusion, anemia and increased hematologic and metabolic inflammatory markers may be associated with untreated diabetes mellitus. Treatment of alloxan-induced diabetic rats with magnesium improved the anemic state and reduced hematologic and metabolic inflammatory markers.

Background Diabetes mellitus has been reported to cause thyroid dysfunction, which may also impair renal function. Magnesium has been reported to exert ameliorative effects in diabetes mellitus. This study investigated thyroid and renal functions in experimental type-2-diabetic Wistar rats. Methods Experimental type-2-diabetes was induced using short duration high-fat (30%) diet feeding followed by single-dose streptozotocin (35 mg/kg i.p.). Fifty rats were randomly divided into five equal groups consisting of control, diabetes untreated, diabetes treated with either magnesium (250 mg/kg) or metformin (250 mg/kg) and diabetes treated with both metformin and magnesium simultaneously. All treatments were carried out orally for 14days post-diabetes induction. Body weight and blood glucose was monitored using the tail tipping method before diabetes induction and thereafter on days 1,7,14 post-treatment respectively. Thereafter, blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture after light anesthesia into plain and EDTA sample bottles. Total protein, albumin, globulin (plasma) and insulin (serum) were assayed in all samples obtained. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine, thyroxine was also evaluated (n = 5/group) in serum while blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine was assessed (n = 5/group) in plasma. Kidney homogenates were obtained per group and analyzed for renal superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation (MDA). Kidney histology was also evaluated per group using both Haematoxylin and Eosin and periodic acid Schiff stains. Results Body weight, blood glucose, insulin, renal MDA was increased in diabetic untreated compared to other groups. Reductions (P < 0.05) in TSH, triiodothynine, Renal SOD and GSH levels where observed in diabetic untreated compared to other groups. Renal histology in diabetic untreated showed glomerula sclerosis, fused messengial cells and either collapsed tubular lumen or lumen with eosinophilic renal cast. These pathologies where partially reversed in the other experimental groups. Conclusion This study suggests that thyroid and renal impairment may be present in experimental type-2-diabetes. Treatment with oral magnesium may cause a partial restoration of thyroid function that may impede the development of renal dysfunction.

Background Diabetes mellitus causes low-grade chronic inflammation which leads to the development of long-term complications. Oral magnesium (Mg) intake amongst other effects was reported to reduce the levels of inflammatory markers. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory and insulin secretory activities in experimental type-2 diabetic rats (n=32) orally treated with Mg. Methods Experimental type-2 diabetic rats were induced with high fat diet and alloxan (50 mg/kg, single i.p.) for over 10 weeks prior to the experimental procedures. Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 equal groups: control, untreated experimental diabetics, and experimental diabetics treated orally with either metformin (Met) (250 mg/kg), or Mg (250 mg/kg), respectively, for 14 days. The blood glucose (BG) levels were monitored before experimental induction of diabetes and thereafter on days 1, 7, 10, and 14, respectively. Serum insulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and lipid profile were assessed using laboratory kits while pancreatic beta cell function (BCF) and insulin resistance were estimated using homeostasis model assessment equations. Results Significant increase in the BG level was observed in all experimental diabetic groups on day 1 compared to controls. On day 14, BG, BCF, triglyceride, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein levels were increased while the high-density lipoprotein level was reduced in untreated diabetics compared to other groups. Insulin and insulin resistance were increased in all groups compared to control. Serum insulin and IL-6 were reduced while CRP was elevated in diabetic treated groups (Met and Mg) compared to untreated diabetics. Conclusions This study shows a hypoglycemic, lipid regulatory, insulin stimulatory, and anti-inflammatory effect of oral Mg treatment in experimental type-2 diabetic rats.