Histomorphometric, histochemical and microstereological studies on the accessory glands of the male African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse)

Abstract

Summary Histomorphometric analysis of the accessory glands of the male giant rat showed that structurally these organs resemble those of other rodents. The mean weight, epithelial height, volumetric proportion of these organs and their enzyme activity were determined. While the seminal vesicle had the highest mean weight and epithelial height, the prostate had the highest proportion of connective tissue. The seminal vesicle showed high ATPase and moderate glucose‐6‐phosphatase activities. These findings are compared with those reported for some other mammals.

Microscopic Anatomy of the Lower Respiratory System of the African Giant Pouched Rat (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse 1840)

“…Thus, several investigators have made pioneering efforts to characterise various systems of this rat in Nigeria. Systems that have been studied include: reproductive (Ogwuegbu et al, 1983;Oke et al, 1995Oke et al, , 1988aOke et al, , 1988bOke & Aire, 1989Akinloye et al, 2007), digestive (Ali et al, 2008) urinary (Onyeanusi et al, 2007;, skeletal (Olude et al, 2010) nervous (Nzalak et al, 2005;Ibe et al, 2010a;Ibe et al, 2010b), integumentary (Ibe et al, 2010c) and lymphatic (Ibe et al, 2010d).…”

Histological Studies Of The Vomeronasal Organ Of African Giant Rat (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse)

“…There has been a continuous effort to domesticate it in some parts of Nigeria. Some aspects of the biology of the African Giant Rat (AGR) have been studied (Ewer, 1967;Ajayi, 1977;Kokkin, 1981;Knight, 1984;Knight and Knight-Eloff, 1987;Ogwuegbu et al, 1983;Oke, 1985;Oke and Aire, 1989;Olayemi and Adeshina, 2002;Kelani and Durotoye, 2002;Onyeanusi et al, 2007). There are no published reports on the vomeronasal organ of the African giant rat.…”

Ultrastructural Features of Vagina at Different Phases of the Oestrous Cycle in the Female African Giant Rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse)

“…Attempt at domestication of the African giant rat is ongoing, and thorough investigations into its biology of reproduction to provide adequate information to aid the process of domestication are in progress. Much work has already been done on the reproductive biology of the male African giant rat (Aire, ; Ogwuegbu et al, ; Oke, ; Oke et al, ; Adeyemo and Oke, ; Oke and Aire, ). Series of works have also been done to provide baseline information on the reproductive biology of the female African giant rat (Oke and Oke, ; Akinloye and Oke, ; Madekurozwa et al, ; Akinloye and Oke, ).…”