ABSTRACT
Culture potentialities of the hybrids from crosses between Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Sarotherodon melanotheron (Rüppel, 1852) were assessed in breeding design through morphological features using geometric morphometric approach. The crosses and rearing procedure, that lasted six months, are performed into a concrete pond at Layo Aquaculture Station. The morphological studies were undertaken with morphometric biomarkers such as average body shape and components of developmental homeostasis (canalisation and developmental stability). Average body shape between groups was investigated using Relative Warps Analysis (RWA) and Canonical Variates Analysis (CVA), whereas canalisation and fluctuating asymmetry were evaluated from ANOVA Procrustes. The results showed that the body shape of the hybrids is intermediate between those of the two parental species and that the reciprocal hybrids of first generation exhibit heterosis in size. This hybrid vigor appeared more on the hybrids resulting from crosses between S. melanotheron males and O. niloticus females. In a general way, the morphology of the head of the hybrids is similar to that of the parent O. niloticus and their fins resembled to those of the parent S. melanotheron. Moreover, fluctuating asymmetry in shape does not vary between parental species and hybrids, contrary to fluctuating asymmetry in size, which is lesser in latter. Canalisation was found to be smaller in the hybrids compared to the parental ones. So, these results revealed that the hybrids could benefit from most of accrued advantages of parental species.
ABSTRACT
Background: Serological tests remain the basis of toxoplasmosis diagnosis since direct detection of Toxoplasma gondii by microscopy is less sensitive and PCR is inaccessible for routine screening. Unfortunately, serological screening in pregnant women for T. gondii-specific antibodies is not mandatory in the assessment of antenatal care in Ivory Coast. Furthermore the latest data published are about a decade. Aim: To determine the seroprevalence in relation with certain risk factors and discuss epidemiological issue of different patterns seen among pregnant women in Daloa, in Ivory Coast. Study Design and Setting: This is a prospective study. Pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in maternal and child health care center were screened for IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii from February to August 2014. Results: Out of 385 women, 113 (29.35%) were in their first pregnancy and the average age was 26 years with 14 and 47 years of age respectively for the youngest and the oldest mother. A hundred and sixty five (42.85%) of the women had ever been in contact with cats and 305 (79.22%) had ever eaten raw vegetables. 108 (28.05%) out of 385 women were in the third trimester of pregnancy. 226 out of 385 sera (58.70%) had positive IgG and all sera were tested negative for IgM. The remaining sera 159 (41.3%) had no IgG or IgM. The seroprevalence of IgG was correlated to the presence of cats in the household (P<0.001) and age group (P<0.05), whereas no significant association was observed with the consumption of raw vegetables, education and the type of housing. Out of the 159 sera tested negative, 45 (28.3%) were collected in the third trimester of pregnancy. Conclusion: Our study shows that the prevalence of toxoplasmosis among women of reproductive age, particularly pregnant women is not insignificant in Ivory Coast and deserves more attention from the health officials.