The Journal of American Science, 2(2), 2006, Opara, et al, Haematology and Plasma Biochemistry Grasscutter
Haematology and Plasma Biochemistry of the Wild Adult African
Grasscutter (Thryonomis swinderianus, Temminck)
M. N. Opara, K. A. Ike, I. C. Okoli
Tropical Animal Health and Production Research, Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal
University of Technology, P. M. B. 1526, Owerri, Nigeria
Abstract: Haematological and plasma biochemical values of the wild grasscutters (Thryonomis swinderianus), were
determined. One hundred adult grasscutters consisting of 70 females and 30 males caught in the wild within the
months of August to November 2005 were used for this study. Two separate blood samples were collected from
each animal, one for haematological and the other for biochemical tests. Results obtained showed no statistical
evidence of sexual dimorphism in haematological and biochemical parameters tested. Except for the significantly
(P<0.05) higher lymphocytes, eosinophils and basophils values for both the female and male wild grasscutters
compared with those of captive reared and significantly (P<0.05) higher white blood cell count in the female wild
grasscutters, there were no significant (P>0.05) differences between the values obtained in this study and those
reported for the captive reared grasscutters. The haematological and plasma biochemical values observed from the
African wild grasscutters were further compared with the data reported in the same environment for humans, wild
and domestic mammalian species. [The Journal of American Science. 2006;2(2):17-22].
Keywords: haematology; plasma; biochemistry; grasscutter; Thryonomis swinderianus
information on the biology, veterinary care, nutritional
and management aspects of this rodent under farming
conditions.
The physiological, nutritional and pathological
conditions of animals are usually assessed, using
haematological and biochemical analyses of their blood
(Jain, 1986; Bush, 1991; Awah and Nottidge, 1998).
Nutrition, age, sex, genetics, reproduction, housing,
starvation,
environmental
factors,
stress
and
transportation are all known to affect haematological
biochemical parameters observed between tropical and
temperate animals (Ogunrinade et al, 1981; Bush, 1991;
Ogunsanmi et al, 1994).
Haematological and biochemical values have been
reported in the captive reared grasscutters (Ogunsanmi
et al, 2002). There was no sex significance in the values
of the male and female grasscutters. However, these
authors reported a lower packed cell volume (PCV) in
the captive reared grasscutters than African giant rat,
but higher than those of pangolin, White Fulani cattle
and Nigeria goats, with a similarity to that of man.
Haematological values as well as blood chemistry
have not yet been reported for the wild grasscutters.
Therefore, there is a need to document these values and
compare them with those of the captive reared
grasscutters and some other species of animals already
reported. This paper presents some haematological and
blood biochemical values for adult male and female
wild grasscutters in order to establish their normal
values and the differences between the sexes and the
captive reared ones.
Introduction
It is very evident in Nigeria today that the average
citizen does not meet the protein requirements for
humans. This is seen from data obtained for alternative
sources of animal protein to argument for the shortage
currently existing with the conventional livestock
(Chupin, 1992).
Wild life domestication has been recognized as a
possible way of achieving this objective (Ajayi, 1971).
A few number of small mammals and crop farmers
trade or breed wild rodents (Fonweban and Njwe, 1990;
N.R.C., 1991), but research studies in their
domestication are producing conflicting results (Baptist
and Mensah, 1986; N.R.C., 1991).
Among the wild rodents, the grasscutter or cane rat
is the most preferred (Asibey and Eyeson, 1997;
Clottey, 1981). Grasscutter (Thryonomis swinderianus)
is a wild hystricomorph rodent widely distributed in the
African subregion and exploited in most areas as a
source of animal protein (Asibey, 1974, Vos, 1978 and
N. R. C., 1991).
Being the most preferred (Martin, 1985) and
expensive meat in West Africa, including Nigeria,
Togo, Benin, Ghana and Cote d’ voire (Baptist and
Mensah, 1986; Asibey and Addo, 2000), it contributes
to both local and export earnings of most West African
countries (Asibey, 1969; Baptist and Mensah, 1986; N.
R. C., 1991; GEPC, 1995; Ntiamoa, 1998) and is
therefore hunted aggressively. Thus, the excessive and
uncontrolled decimation of this animal for consumption
poses a threat to the ultimate survival of the species.
Grasscutter domestication has not been successful
so far, and this has highlighted the paucity of
17
The Journal of American Science, 2(2), 2006, Opara, et al, Haematology and Plasma Biochemistry Grasscutter
both the haematological and biochemical parameters
tested.
Table 2 compared the erythrocyte (RBC) and
leucocyte (WBC) values (Mean±SD) in wild and
captive reared grasscutters, African giant rat, pangolin,
human, cattle, sheep and goat in the same tropical
environment (Oduye and Fasanmi, 1971; Oduye, 1976;
Ezeilo and Obi, 1983; Oyewale et al, 1997; Oyewale et
al, 1998a; Ogunsanmi et al, 2002).
In the wild grasscutters, there were significantly
higher (P<0.05) lymphocyte, eosinophil and basophil
values for both the females and males compared with
those of captive reared grasscutters.
The plasma biochemical values (Mean±SD) in wild
grasscutters with respect to their sex are presented in
Table 3. The biochemical values for the males were not
significantly different (P>0.05) from those of the female
wild grasscutters.
A comparison of the plasma biochemical values in
wild grasscutters, captive reared grasscutters
(Ogunsanmi et al, 2002), Nigerian goats (Oduye and
Adedovoh, 1976), White Fulani cattle (Oduye and
Fasanmi, 1971), and human (Mcfarlene et al, 1985) are
shown in Table 4. There were significantly higher
(P<0.05) urea levels in both the wild and captive reared
grasscutters than in the African giant rat, pangolin, but
the values were significantly lower than in the Nigeria
goat and human. Also, the total cholesterol was higher
(195.65±5.49) in the wild than captive reared
grasscutters, which recorded (126.4±16.05). Equally,
the captive reared grasscutters had a higher glucose
level (137.6±25.92) than their wild counterparts, which
had level of 92.65±9.03. The bicarbonate concentrations
were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the wild and
captive reared grasscutters and pangolin than in the
African giant rat.
Materials and Methods
2.1 Experimental Animals and Sample Collection
Blood samples were collected from 100 adult
grasscutters, 70 females and 30 males between the
months of August and November, 2005. The animals
were hunted in the wild and caught alive within Ohaji
Local Government Area of Imo state. Immediately the
animals were caught, their necks were severed through
the jugular vein with hunting knives. Then 2 mL of
blood was collected from each animal into sample
bottles containing ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid
(EDTA), another 3 mL into a bottle containing lithium
heparin and yet another 3 mL into a tube coated with
sodium oxalate fluoride for the determination of
haematological, biochemical values and blood glucose
level.
The samples collected were immediately taken to
the laboratory for analyses.
2.2. Haematology and Plasma Biochemistry
Using the standard techniques as reported by (Jain,
1986), the packed cell volume (PCV), Erythrocyte
counts (RBC), Haemoglobin concentration (HB), Mean
Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular
Haemoglobin Concentrtion (MCHC), Total Leucocyte
counts (WBC) and Differential Leucocyte counts for
the wild grasscutters were determined.
An aliquot 0.2 mL of whole blood in a tube
containing lithium heparin was reserved for blood
biochemistry, while the other was centrifuged at 2,000 g
for 10 minutes to obtain plasma and erythrocytes. The
plasma was carefully removed and put into clean tubes,
while the buffy coat and the top quarter of erythrocyte
layer were removed and discarded.
The remaining layer of erythrocytes was washed
twice by centrifugation in phosphate-buffered saline
(PBS, pH 7.2). Haemoglobin concentration of these
erythrocytes was determined as also previously
described (Jain, 1986).
Sodium and potassium concentrations of the whole
blood and plasma were measured using the flame
photometer (Corning model 400, corning scientific Ltd,
England). Plasma levels of chloride, bicarbonate ions,
urea, creatinine and total protein were determined as
described by Ogunsanmi et al (1994). The activities of
plasma glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT),
Glutamin-Pyruvic Transaminase (GPT) were measured
by the procedures of Reitman and Frankel (1957). The
plasma total cholesterol and blood glucose levels were
also determined as earlier described (Toro and
Ackermann, 1975).
Discussion
The study has shown that both the haematological
and plasma biochemical values of the wild grasscutters
are very much comparable with those of the captive
reared grasscutters as earlier reported (Ogunsanmi et al,
2002). Our result is also in agreement with their
findings where they observed no significant difference
(P<0.05) in sex in the plasma levels of sodium,
potassium, chloride, cholesterol and glucose. As shown
in Table 3, slightly higher values of the biochemical
parameters for females than the males were observed.
Findings from this study show a higher neutrophil
value in the males than in the females as against the
case with the captive reared grasscutters (Ogunsanmi et
al, 2002). However, there were significantly higher
values (P<0.05) obtained in lymphocytes, eosinophils
and basophils both for the females than the males. There
were also significantly higher (P<0.05) leucocytes
(WBCs) for the wild female grasscutters. These could
Results
The erythrocyte and leucocyte values of the male
and female wild grasscutters are reported in Table 1.
There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in sex for
18
The Journal of American Science, 2(2), 2006, Opara, et al, Haematology and Plasma Biochemistry Grasscutter
be due to the fact that these animals are in the wild and
are prone to all kinds of infections. Leucocyte counts
increase during infection and stress of capture (Gotoh et
al, 1987; Dinh, 2002) and unfavourable conditions in
the animal’s habitat such as shortage of food and water
(Gotoh et al, 2001). Basophils and eosinophils are
important effector cells in allergy and host defense
responses particularly against parasitic infections such
as helminthiasis and ectoparasitic tick infestations
(Butterworth, 1999). The significantly high levels of
basophils and eosinophils may be due to the presence of
inhabiting parasites in the wild grasscutters.
Table 1. Some Haematological Values (Mean ± SD) in wild grasscutters with respect to sex
Parameters
Males (n=30)
Females (n=70)
PCV (%)
41.7 ± 1.35
41.3± 1.2
RBC (x 106/m)
8.4 ± 0.2
8.6± 0.2
HB (g/dl)
14.2± 0.3
14.2± 0.8
MCV (fl)
72.4± 6.9
71.4± 1.5
MCH (pg)
22.0± 3.2
18.8± 0.5
MCHC (g/dl)
34.0± 1.2
34.3± 1.8
Total WBC (103µl).
10,733.3±793.0
13,092± 2813.3
Neutrophils (103µ)
6,761.8±231.8
4656.8± 2003.1
Lymphocytes (103µ)
3684.7± 182.5
6844.5± 1792.3
Monocytes (103µ)
179.2±50.4
223.9± 176.7
Eosinophils (103µ)
71.9±5.4
130.9± 9.9
Basophils (103µ)
35.4±50.4
56.2± 6.4
Table 2. Comparison of Erythrocyte and Leucocyte values (Mean±SD) in wild and captive grasscutters, African
giant rat, Pangolin, Human, Cattle, Sheep and Goat in the same tropical environment.
Parameters
Wild
grasscutter
(Present
study, n=100)
Captive
reared
grasscutters
(Ogunsanmi
et al, n=10)
African
giant rat
(Oyewale
et al,
1998a,
n=15)
5.90±1.56
Pangolin
(Oyewale
et al 1997,
n=10)
Human
(Ezeilo and
Obi, 1983,
n=500)
4.19±0.68
5.37±0.41
White
Fulani
(Oduye and
Fasanmi,
1971,
n=150)
7.05±1.82
RBC (X106
µl)
PCV (%)
Hb (g/dl)
MCV (fl)
16.42±0.32
12.36±0.52
41.48±1.21
14.17±0.52
71.90±4.20
43.2±5.27
12.36±1.65
66.8±10.47
40.40±4.95
10.01±1.44
97.75±14.3
5
24.13±3.43
24.84±2.46
46.50±4.36
15.06±1.27
87.70±5.7
34.08±4.12
9.80±1.37
46.85±5.25
20.47±5.0
28.64±1.87
48.43±3.93
14.36±2.45
86.85±22.0
2
25.77±6.77
29.84±5.44
MCH (pg)
MCHC
(g/dl)
WBC (x103
µl)
Neutr
(X103 µl)
Lymph
(X103 µl)
Monocy
(X103µl)
Eosino
(X103µ)
Baso
(X103µ)
20.4±1.85
34.15±1.50
27.69±2.16
32.39±0.76
12.91±1.8
6.06±1.05
7.56±2.55
4.8±2.09
5.75±1.1
1.0±0.96
5.15±1.88
10.25±1.0
4.91±0.96
0.2±0.12
0.1±0.03
0.05±0.03
WAD
sheep
(Oduye,
1976,
n=295)
7.50±2.10
Nigerian
goat
(Oduye &
Adedovoh,
1976,
n=85)
12.3±2.40
26.10±4.10
8.59±1.31
21.80±4.40
ND
ND
27.40±4.50
8.42±1.50
38.30±10.5
0
ND
30.80±5.40
6.22±1.43
9.98±2.66
15.25±4.69
16.10±4.55
2.44±1.29
3.15±0.87
ND
ND
ND
0.43±0.28
2.22±1.09
2.35±0.85
19.90±9.30
38.5±13.6
0.13±0.05
0.21±0.17
0.01±0.11
0.13±0.16
0
1.50±1.60
46.80±10.8
0
0.90±0.90
0.01±0.02
0.01±0.02
0.31±0.27
-
2.44±0.04
0.01±0.03
0.60±0.64
0
8.73±6.80
0
4.60±4.50
ND
4.7±4.50
0
19
ND
33.10±3.40
The Journal of American Science, 2(2), 2006, Opara, et al, Haematology and Plasma Biochemistry Grasscutter
Table 3. Plasma biochemical values (Mean±SD) in wild grasscutters with respect to sex
Parameters
Males (n=30)
Females (n=70)
Urea (mg/dl)
19.7±2.78
24.04±2.9
Creatinine (mg/dl)
1.2±0.14
1.2±0.13
Cholesterol(mg/dl)
194±4.99
197±5.98
Glucose (mg/dl)
95±8.17
90.3±9.88
Na +(mmol/l)
136±4.32
141.1±1.48
K+(mmol/l )
4.2±0.17
4.3±0.22
Cl- (mmol/l)
95.3±4.5
100.7±1.83
HCO3 (mmol/l)
25.67±1.7
26.3±1.83
Total Protein (g/dl)
7.0±10.29
7.4±0.37
GOT (iu/l)
10.67±2.36
10.4±1.59
GPT (Iiu/l)
9.01±0.73
8.3±1.03
Table 4. Comparison of some Plasma Biochemical values (Mean±SD) in Wild Grasscutters, Captive reared
Grasscutters, African giant rat, Pangolin, Nigreian goat, Cattle and Humans in the same tropical
environment
Parameters
Pangolin
(Oyewale
et al,
1998b) (n)
Nigerian goats
(Oduye &
Adedovoh,
1976) (n)
16.40±3.8
9 (10)
0.75±0.11
(10)
ND
44.07±10.81
(70)
ND
126.4±16.05
African
Giant Rat
(Oyewale et
al, 1998a)
(n)
11.71±2.3
(14)
0.59±0.10
(14)
ND
92.65±9.03
137.625.92
ND
138.55±2.90
147.7±2.5
K (mmol/l)
4.25±0.19
5.73±0.72
Cl- (mmol/l)
98.0±3.19
109.0±2.25
HCO3
(mmol/l)
Total protein
(g/dl)
GOT (iu/l)
GPT (iu/l)
25.99±1.77
24.1±0.55
7.25±0.33
5.0±0.2
10.54±1.98
8.66±0.88
9.6±2.75
ND
96.85±10.29
(1)
5.47±0.52
(14)
81.14±4.91
(14)
10.43±0.76
(14)
5.84±0.31
(14)
ND
ND
Urea (mg/dl)
Creatinine
(mg/dl)
Cholesterol
(mg/dl)
Glucose
(mg/dl)
Na+ (mmol/l)
+
Wild
grasscutters
(prese-nt
study,
n=100)
21.87±2.84
Captive reared
grasscutters
(Ogunsanmi et
al, 2002,
n=10)
27.00±6.86
1.2±0.14
1.29±0.15
195.65±5.49
White Fulani
cattle
(Oduye &
Fasanmi,
1971) (n)
ND
Human (Mcfarlene
et al, 1970)
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
142.60±6.
45 (10)
5.60±0.95
(10)
105.10±3.
38 (10)
21.10±2.1
3 (10)
5.96±0.53
(10)
ND
ND
138.76±9.71
(70)
4.44±0.49 (70)
134.80±19.0
0 (147)
4.47±0.80
(147)
102.37±13.7
0 (147)
ND
130.0±5.20 (948)
7.55±2.5
(151)
ND
ND
ND
101.79±6.70
(70)
ND
6.36±0.80 (70)
ND
ND
20.0±5.10
3.50±0.80 (963)
92.0±78.0 (922)
ND
ND
ND
N = NUMER EXAMINED
ND =NOT DETERMINED
Total RBC counts were found to be higher in the
two types of grasscutters and Nigerian goats than in the
other species of animals observed. Packed cell volume
(PCV) was found to be lower in the grasscutters than in
African giant rat, but higher than those of pangolin,
White Fulani cattle, West African Dwarf sheep and
goats. It is however similar to that of humans. The
haemoglobin concentration of grasscutters was lower
than that of humans, but higher than in White Fulani
cattle, WAD sheep and goats but similar to those of
African giant rats and pangolin. The RBCs of
grasscutters were larger (higher MCV) than those of
White Fulani cattle, WAD sheep and Nigerian goats;
but smaller than in African giant rats, pangolin and
humans (Table 2).
There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in
sex in the plasma biochemical values obtained in this
study. There were also no significant differences
(P>0.05) in the values obtained in this study for wild
grasscutters and those reported for the captive reared
ones (Ogunsanmi et al, 2002 ). However, as shown in
Table 4, there were slightly higher cholesterol and lower
glucose levels in the wild grasscutters than in the
captive reared grasscutters. This could be attributed to
the dietary intakes of these free-ranging grasscutters in
the wild. No one controls their feeding, unlike in the
captive reared animals where the type of diets given is
controlled.
20
The Journal of American Science, 2(2), 2006, Opara, et al, Haematology and Plasma Biochemistry Grasscutter
3.
It has been reported (Abrams, 1980) that feeds with
high level animal fats and oils cause high level serum
cholesterol in animals.
Also, there were no significant variations (P>0.05)
in the whole blood Na+. and K+..
Among the sexes of wild grasscutters. These
observations agree with similar findings in captive
reared grasscutters (Ogunsanmi et al, 2002), pangolin
(Oyewale et al, 1998b), Nigerian sheep and goats
(Oduye and Adedovoh, 1976), White Fulani cattle
(Oduye and Fasanmi, 1971; Ogunrinade et al, 1981),
Humans (Mcfarlene et al, 1985) and cat (Nottidge et al,
1999). These species of animals have significantly
higher (P<0.05) values of sodium than the African giant
rat.
There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the
glucose levels of both sexes of wild grasscutters.
However, the wild grasscutters had lower glucose level
than their captive reared counterparts. There may be
excessive utilization of energy reserves by roaming
about in the wild free range situations, whereas the
captive reared grasscutters being confined, expend
comparatively less energy. The total serum protein of
the wild grasscutters was significantly higher (P<0.05)
than in their captive reared counterparts (Ogunsanmi et
al, 2002), African giant rat (Oyewale et al, 1998a),
pangolin (Oyewale et al, 1998b) and Nigerian goats
(Oduye and Adedovoh, 1976). Their plasma protein
levels were however similar to that of White Fulani
cattle (Oduye and Fasanmi, 1971).
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Conclusion
1.
2.
Our study has presented a baseline data comprising
haematological and plasma biochemical parameters of the wild
grasscutters. These parameters are very comparable with those
of the captive reared grasscutters. It is also clear that sex does
not have any significance influence on the parameters
investigated in this study.
Variables such as nutrition, reproductive status, environment and
degree of activity may change the ex-situ and in-situ situations
of grasscutters more especially in the wild. It is therefore
concluded that the results of this study can be effectively
employed as indices in the evaluation of the dietary quality and
clinical status of wild and captive reared grasscutters.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Corresponding to:
M. N. Opara
Tropical Animal Health and Production Research
Laboratory
Department of Animal Science and Technology Federal
University of Technology
P. M. B. 1526, Owerri, Nigeria.
Email: oparamax@yahoo.com
21.
22.
23.
24.
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