Preliminary observations on diurnal rhythm in the haematological parameters of male African giant rats (<i>Cricetomys gambianus</i>, Waterhouse)

Abstract

The diurnal rhythm of haematological parameters was investigated in the male African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus, Water house). There was a significant difference (P<0.001) between the values of red blood cell count (RBC) obtained during the day (light phase) and at night (dark phase). The lowest value (RBC) was recorded at 12.00hrs, but showed a gradual increase from 12.00 hrs to 24.00hrs, although the differences were not significant. It reached a peak at 21.00 hrs. The packed cell volume (PCV) showed a progressive decline between 9.00 hrs and 24.00hrs. The value obtained at 24.00 hrs was also significantly lower than the values at 9.00 hrs (P<0.01) and 12.00 hrs (P<0.01). White blood cell count (WBC) gradually decreased during the period of the study. The WBC values obtained at 24.00 hrs were significantly lower than the values at 9.00 hrs (P<0.01) and 12:00 hrs (P<0.02).

Keywords: Diurnal Rhythm, Haematological Parameters, and male African giant rat.

Le rythme duirne des parametres hematologiques a ete observe chez le rat geant d’Afrique (cricetomys ganbienne, maison deau). Il ya eu une difference significante (P<0.05) entre les valeurs de globules rouges (GR) obtenues pendant la journee (phase lumiere) et celles obtenues la nuit (Phase obscure). La valeur la plus base a ete enregistre a 12 Heures et la valeur la plus elevee a 24 Heures avec un niveau de significance de P<0.001. La concentration Hemoglobulaire a ete reduite considerablement (P<0.005) de 9 Heures a 12 Heures. mais a montre une augmentation progressive de 12 Heures a 24 Heures, meme si les differences n’ etaient pas significantes. cette concentration a atteint une valeur maximale a 21 heures. Li Hematocrite a montre une baisse progressive entre 9 heures. Li Hematocrite a montre une baisse progressive entre 9 heures et 24 heures. Les valeurs obtenues en 24 heures etaient significamment tres basse que les valeurs a 9 heures (P<0.01) et 12 heures (P<0.01). Le taux des globules blancs diminuait gradueuement pendant la periode d’analyse. les valeurs obtenues a 24 heures etaient notamment plus basse que les valeurs a 9 heures (P<0.01) et a 12 heures (P<0.01).