Hormonal and Histopathological Alterations in Pituitary Glands and Reproductive Organs of Male and Female Mice Orally Inoculated with Pasteurella Multocida Type B: 2 and its Lipopolysaccharides

Abstract

Oral infections of mice as animal model with Pasteurella multocida type B: 2 and its lipopolysaccharides is liable to cause detrimental alterations in the pituitary glands, which results in disruption of reproductive hormonal levels as well as organ functions in the male and female animals; thereby impeding the fertility of at risk animal population. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the histopathological modifications in the pituitary glands, reproductive organs and the associated hormonal levels in male and female mice inoculated orally with P. multocida type B: 2 and its lipopolysaccharides. Forty eight mice were divided into three groups consisting of sixteen mice each (8 male and 8 female in separate cages). Group 1 served as the control group and were inoculated orally with 0.4 mL Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS), group 2 were inoculated orally with 0.4 mL of 10⁹ Colony Forming Unit (CFU) of P. multocida type B: 2 while group 3 were inoculated orally with 0.4 mL of LPS from 10⁹ of colony P. multocida type B: 2. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in the lesions (oedema, haemorrhage, degeneration and necrosis) observed in the testes, ovaries and the pituitary glands amongst the three groups. Similarly, there were significant differences in the levels of testosterone, progesterone and estrogen (p<0.05) in the male and female mice inoculated orally with P. multocida type B: 2 and its lipopolysaccharide. There is paucity of information on changes related to reproductive hormones, pituitary glands and reproductive organs of male and female mice following oral inoculation with P. multocida type B: 2 and its endotoxin. Hence, the sex hormonal levels could be used to assess the immune statuses of at risk animal population and proffer amenable Veterinary medical care to afflicted animal population.