Title:Gonadotropic Activity of Pituitary Extract of African Catfish,
Clarias gariepinus, in Mammals using Immature Wistar Rats as
Models
Volume: 18
Issue: 1
Author(s): Simon Azubuike Ubah, Samson Eneojo Abalaka*, Victory Clara Asibor, Ebenezer Kehinde Ogundana, Itodo Joy Iyojo, Oluwa Adikpe Agbonu, Philemon Kwinjoh Columbus, Kenneth Owoicho Abah, Christopher Ese Obudu, Oluwatobi Akefe Isaac and Prisca Adaoma Ezinwo
Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
Keywords:
Gonadotropin, pituitary extract, african catfish, wistar rats, mammals, model.
Abstract:
Background: The pituitary glands normally produce and stores gonadotropic
hormones (GnH) that are responsible for ovulation and spermiation in animals. However,
whether fish pituitary extracts can elicit same effects in treated animals need elucidation as
a prelude to their practical usage in animals.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the oestrus-inducing potential of the
pituitary gland extract of the Africa Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in immature Wistar rats.
Methods: The experiment involved the use of 18 immature female Wistar rats and 10 male
catfish brood stocks with the use of six Wistar rats per groups as follows: Group A had
human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) treatment. Group B had only normal saline treatment
as the control whereas Group C had the C. gariepinus pituitary extract administration to
induce oestrus with treatments occurring twice six hours apart in each group.
Results: There was an obvious expression of visible signs of heat and the presence of uterine
horn oedema with significant (p < 0.05) increase in reproductive tract weight and uterine
width and length. However, only progesterone levels increased significantly (p < 0.05)
in the hCG and the C. gariepinus pituitary extract treated groups compared to other assayed
hormones.
Conclusion: These results showed that C. gariepinus pituitary extract has the capacity to induce
oestrus in Wistar rats because of its gonadotropic effects, which needs further investigations
at higher doses and for longer exposure periods for possible oestrus induction and synchronization
in higher mammals. Further favourable results could herald the possible patent
of the catfish pituitary extract for either experimental or commercial use in mammals.