Authors : D.O. Adejumo , I.A. Amata , L. Bratte and F.O. Adewuyi
Abstract: In an experiment to determine the effects of weight-related changes on Acetylcholinestrase (AChE) activity and total protein concentration in the brain regions and hypophyses of pigs reared commercially in the tropics, a number of randomly selected Yorkshire pigs were sorted into 8 body weight categories of 10 pigs each, giving a total of 80 pigs. The pigs were sacrificed and their brain regions and hypophyses assayed for AChE activity and for total protein concentration. The body weight categories were 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70, 71-80, 81-90 and 91-100 kg. Both sexes were equally represented in each category. Acetylcholinestrase activity was highest in the amygdala, hippocampus and midbrain of 41-70kg pigs and lowest in the cerebral cortex of 31-40 kg pigs although the differences were not significant (p>0.05). Variations in mean specific AChE (SAChE) activity and in mean concentration of total proteins with pig body weight and brain regions/hypophyses were highly significant (p<0.01). Specific Acetylcholinestrase (SAChE) activity was highest in the amygdala, hippocampus and hypothalamus of 41-70 kg pigs and lowest in the cerebellum and cerebral cortex of 31-40 kg pigs. Total protein concentration was highest (p<0.01) in the pons and cerebellum of 31-40 kg and 91-100 kg pigs, lowest in the hypophyses of 41-50 kg pigs and did not vary in accordance with AChE activity. It was concluded that factors such as differences in age, nutrition and management of the pigs may have informed the non-specific variation patterns of the variables observed in this study.
D.O. Adejumo , I.A. Amata , L. Bratte and F.O. Adewuyi , 2007. Weight-Related Changes in Acetycholinestrase Activity and Total Protein Concetration in the Brain Regions and Hypophyses of Pigs in the Tropics. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 6: 155-157.