Cypermethrin-induced Repeated-dose Immuno-toxicity in Oryctolagus Cuniculus: An Investigation into Pathology of Spleen and Blood

Background: Cypermethrin is a pyrethroid insecticide widely used in agriculture and medicines. Its toxicity effects on spleen and blood in male and female rabbits is studied in this research. Methods: Age- and weight-matched does/females (n=24) and bucks/males (n=24) of Japanese White rabbits were subjected to intraperitoneal cypermethrin administration @50, 100 and 150 mg.kg-1 b.wt. in groups B, C and D, respectively.  The experimental rabbit does and bucks were tested for hematology alterations after each of 5 CY-treatments, at days 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29.  One rabbit doe and one rabbit buck were sacrificed fortnightly (days 15, 29, 43, 57 and 71) to obtain spleen for histological studies. Results: CY-treated rabbit bucks developed anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, monocytosis, eosinophilia and basocytopenia mostly in dose and time dependent manner.  In contrast, rabbit does show transient but significant leukocytosis, neutropenia, lymphopenia, monocytosis, eosinophilia and basophilia only in high dose group.  Moreover, spleen histology revealed congestion, depletion of white pulp with increased red pulp and hemosiderin deposition in CY treated rabbit bucks, but not rabbit does. Conclusions: This study concludes that immuno-toxicity by cypermethrin insecticide is not similar in male and female subjects.

Marker Assisted Molecular Investigation of Kappa-Casein Gene in Bos Indicus Sindhi Genetic Group Using HINFI Restriction Enzyme

Background: Present research aimed to determine molecular genotype of kappa-casein gene in female Red Sindhi cattle. This gene has great influence on the technologically advanced milk properties. Methods: Blood specimens (n=50) from females of this cattle breed at a well-managed farm in Sindh-Pakistan were collected and commercial kit was employed for DNA extraction. Genotype determination of κ-casein gene and alleles was done through PCR-RFLP technique by using primer; PCR products were digested upon HINFI restriction enzyme. The digested fragments were analyzed by electrophoresis on agarose gel using ethidium bromide to increase visibility. The bands were examined under ultra violet-light to study polymorphic locus on DNA fragments. Results: Digestion upon HINFI restriction enzyme of 350bp fragment indicated three patterns. The 1st (homozygote genotype BB), 2nd (homozygote genotype AA) and 3rd (heterozygote genotype AB) patterns yielded major fragment(s) of 1) 266bp, 2) 134bp and 132bp and 3) 134bp, 132bp and 266bp, respectively. Each of the three patterns yielded one minor fragment of 84bp. The genotype frequency for homozygote AA and the allelic frequency of allele A were higher than the same for homozygote genotype BB and the allelic frequency of allele B, respectively. Conclusions: An accurate profile of genetic make-up and alternate forms of κ-casein genes in Sindhi cattle is likely to help researchers, policy makers, immunologists, dietitians, neonatologists, community physicians and managerial as well as production level officials to exploit it to full potential.