ISSN 2756-3650
International Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics Vol. 5 (8), pp. 001-005, August, 2016. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Erythrocyte osmotic fragility of Wistar rats administered ascorbic acid during the hot-dry season
A. W. Alhassan1*, A. Y. Adenkola2, A. Yusuf1, Z. M. Bauchi3, M. I. Saleh1 and V. I. Ochigbo2
1Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
2Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
3Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Accepted 22 April, 2016
Abstract
The experiment was carried out with the aim of investigating the effect of an antioxidant ascorbic acid on erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF) of Wistar rats during the hot-dry season. Fifteen adult Wistar rats administered with AA at the dose of 100 mg/kg per os and individually served as experimental animals, and 15 others administered orally with sterile water were used as control animals. The animals were kept in the laboratory and the meteorological parameters within the period of study were determined using wet and dry bulb thermometer while the blood samples for EOF determination was obtained at the end of the experiment which lasted 8 weeks and this was done using standard procedure. EOF decrease significantly (P < 0.05) in experimental rats compared to the control group. The results indicated that AA protected the integrity of the erythrocyte membrane in experimental rats administered with AA as demonstrated by lower percentage haemolysis, and thus may alleviate the risk of increase in haemolysis due to heat stress in rats during the hot-dry season.
Key words: Wistar rats, ascorbic acid, hot-dry season, erythrocyte osmotic fragility.