Comparison of the immune-modulating activity of Rhizopus nigricans meal with micro-particulate β 10pt

摘要

The immune modulating activity of Rhizopus nigricans meal, and micro- particulate β-glucan were investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats injected with sodium arsenite. The R. nigricans meal was incorporated into the experimental feed of the rats to substitute for 50 % of the maize in the diet. Thirty 10-12 weeks old rats were distributed randomly into five groups of six rats each. The different groups of the rats were administered either with sodium arsenite alone, R nigricans meal or micro-particulate β-glucan orally or intraperioneally. The duration of administration and treatment was 26 days. Sperm count, sperm motility and histological studies of organs were carried out. The results showed that sodium arsenite caused severe pathology of the liver, heart and kidney. Oral administration of 0.1 mg Kg-1 body weight of micro- particulate β-glucan significantly alleviated the deleterious effect of sodium arsentie on the rats while the alleviating effect of R. nigricans meal was not significant but resulted in a significant increase in the level of leutenizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).