Journal of Animal Science Advances

The X-Chromatin (Barr Bodies) Status and Deferential White

Blood Cell Count of the Nigerian Indigenous Trade Bull Cattle
Breeds
Ajuogu P. K., Yahaya M. A. and Ndubuisi N. P.

J Anim Sci Adv 2014, 4(5): 812-816

Online version is available on: www.grjournals.com

 ISSN: 2251-7219 AJUOGU ET AL.

Original Article

The X-Chromatin (Barr Bodies) Status and

Deferential White Blood Cell Count of the Nigerian
Indigenous Trade Bull Cattle Breeds
1
Ajuogu P. K., 2Yahaya M. A. and 2Ndubuisi N. P.
1
Department of Animal Science and Fisheries, ,Faculty of Agriculture, University of Port Harcourt, P.M.B.5323 East west road
Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
2
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Nkpolu Orowurukwu
Diobu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Abstract
This study was carried out to determine the X-chromatin (barr bodies) profile and deferential white blood
cell counts of the five Nigerian indigenous bulls (Muturu, N’dama, white Fulani, sokoto gudali and Red bororo)
in Port Harcourt. Fifty trade bulls at Oyigbo were used, (while Fulani, Sokoto gudali, Muturu, N’dama and Red
bororo), grouped in five experimental groups according to breeds in a Completely Randomized Experimental
CRD. Fifty bulls (10 bulls/group) of the five breeds were sampled. The blood samples were collected from V.
jugularies using sterile syringes and hypodermic needles, and was turn into an EDTA reinforced sample bottle,
and immediately taken to haematology laboratory for X chromatin and Deferential WBC analysis. The results
revealed that the barr bodies (X-chromatin) of muturu was 0.0%, Red Bororo 0.0% , N’dama 0.0%, Sokoto
gudali 3.0±1.0% and white Fulani 2.0 ±% 0.05% and these values were within the normal range of 0.00% -
2.00% for normal male animals .The profile of lymphocytes were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by breeds.
Also there were significant deference (P>0.05) on the status of Neutrophil amongst the group. It was therefore
concluded that these bulls may be free from x-chromatin related physio-genetic problems or malfunctions.

Keywords: X-Chromatin, neutrophil, lymphocytes, Nigeria, indigenous, bull.


Corresponding author: Department of Animal Science and Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Port Harcourt, P.M.B.5323 East west road Choba, Port
Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Received on: 31 Mar 2013
Revised on: 10 Jul 2013
Accepted on: 15 May 2014
Online Published on: 31 May 2014
812 J. Anim. Sci. Adv., 2014, 4(5): 812-816
 THE X-CHROMATIN (BARR BODIES) STATUS AND DEFERENTIAL …
Introduction
Cyto-genetic studies are very important tool in
proper understanding of the pathogenesis of
numerous problems in livestock industry. These
include some X- related infertility or sub-fertility,
embryonic and foetal deaths, cases of abnormal
sexual development and intersexuality as well as
hybrid sterility or compatibility test for
hybridization (Wehke, 1998; Bashir and Shankar,
1983; 1984; Berepubo et al., 1993; Ajuogu 2004).
One of such methods adopted in cyto-diagnostic
studies for chromosomal assessments and fertility
predictions is X Chromatin evaluations. Assessment
of the sex or x-chromatin in an animal is based on
the promise that it represent the sexual statues (XX
or XY i.e. sex chromosomes) of that particular
animal.
An animal could have an abnormal sexual
make-up and thus abnormal sex chromosomes. The
X Chromatin can be found anywhere on the nucleus
jutting slightly from the tip of the main nucleus to
form the sex chromatin bodies. It has a round or
oval head with an average size of 1.77µ x 1.0µ in
the goat (Singh, 1987; Bhatia and Shanker, 1982).
However, structural abnormalities of the x-
chromosome have being reported to affect the size
and shape of the x- chromatin (Monre, 1996). In all
mammals, female carries XX sex chromosome
compliments bears a corresponding genetic marker
called Barr body in most somatic cells and
drumstick in some polymorphonuclear leucocytes
(Neutrophils) (Bhatia and Shanker 1984; Omeje et
al., 1994).
On the contrary the males with XY
components, have no Barr body or drumstick but
have what is called Y body (Bhatia and Shanker,
1993). Polymorph nuclear neutrophils (PMN) are a
white blood cell (WBC) usually neutrophil, having
a nucleus that is divided into lobes connected by
strand of chromatin. White blood cell contains
neutrophils; act as phagocytes, monocytes; may
serve as stem cells for connective tissue cells by
being transformed into macrophage and fibroblasts
and are also involved in some immune processes,
lymphocytes; give rise to cells that function
immunologically by production of antibodies,
eosinophil; regulate allergic responses and tissue
813
responses to parasites, basophils; prevent blood
clothing and relaxing smooth muscle in airways
(Wekhe, 1998). WBC differential count can be
useful for diagnosis as it can provide an overview of
an animal’s general health status and the
immunological status of the animals. Differential
count over time can also be used to evaluate the
response of an animal to infection or disease. Thus
abnormally high or low counts may indicate the
presence of many forms of disease (Frandson et al.,
2003). Barr bodies result from the inactive or
heterochromatinization of all but one of the X-
chromosome (Satbir et al., 2006).
Satbir et al., (2006); Sanhya (1994); Hartwell et
al., (2000), claim that quantitatively, the effect of
X-chromosome inactivation can be detected by
measuring the amount of protein produced by a sex-
linked gene in individuals carrying a number of
chromosomes since females’ heterozygousity for
sex-linked recessive genes does not show
mosiacism, a clear dense mass against the inner part
of the nuclear membrane.
This dense mass is referred to as X-Chromatin
or simply Barr body after Murry Barr who first
discovered the structure (Barr and Betram, 1942;
Monre and Barr 1954). These researchers have
advocated the presence and absence of the Barr
body in the PMNS may be used as a cyto-diagnostic
tool for determination of gender, and prolificacy in
livestock. The males are usually X-Chromatin
negative while the females are positive.
Materials and Methods
Blood samples was collected from 5 indigenous
trade bull viz A (N’dama), B (Sokoto Gudali), C
(White Fulani), D (Red Bororo), E (West African
Dwarf), respectively using sterile syringes and
hypodermic needles from the ear veins puncture of
the animals, were decanted into a sterile heparinized
sample bottle to avoid coagulation and properly
tagged for proper identification. A drop of the
whole blood was dropped in a clean glass slide
using a Pasteur pipette and a smear made. Two
slides were made from each sample and allowed to
dry. The slides were stained with Leishman's stain
inundated with distilled water and air dried. The
slides were examined under the microscope at a
J. Anim. Sci. Adv., 2014, 4(5): 812-816
 AJUOGU ET AL.

magnification of x 100 objective. The polymorph-
nuclear neutrophils were examined for "drumstick"
occurrence on the basis of 200 polymorph nuclear
neutrophils screened/examined morphologically
Data analyses were obtained using simple
percentage (%). 200 PMN per slide were counted in
order to determine the percentage incidence of
drumstick, as follow:
200 PMns 100
% incidents = X between the breeds. But there are observable
incident drum 1
The diferential was determined WBC count
count (BENJAMIN, 1978).
Resuls and Discution
The summary of the analysis of variance
(ANOVA) from the table below shows the result of
the breed variations of WBC differential counts and
X-chromatin (barr bodies) status of Nigeria
indigenous bull. From the results, statistical analysis
of neutrophils reveals significant difference (P <
0.05) amongst the breeds. Sokoto Gudali had
superior netrophils profiles (60.60) more than other
breeds while Red bororo record the least neutrophils
profile (43.00). Muturu, N’dama and white Fulani
have corresponding values of 47.20, 58.20 and
57.50 respectively. The result of the lymphocytes
profile showed no significant difference, (p > 0.05)
numerical breed variations among them. Red bororo
had the highest lymphocyte followed by Nigeria,
Muturu, white Fulani and the least Sokoto Gudali
with the corresponding values of 49.80, 48.60,
44.40, 40.67 and 39.40. Variation among breeds of
Barr bodies showed no significant values but the
numerical values are observed in white Fulani as
5.0 and Sokoto gudali 3.0 while others are zero.

Table 1: The breed variation of WBC differential count and Barr bodies (x-chromatin) status of Nigerian
indigenous Bulls (male cattle).
S/N Breeds Neutrophil (%) Lymphocytes (%) Barr. Bodies (%)
ab
1. Muturu 47.20 ± 1.50 44.40 ± 2.50 0
2. Red Bororo 43.00 ± 1.38ab 49.80 ± 1.50 0
3. N’dama 58.20 ± 1.28ab 48.6 ± 3.06 0
4. Sokoto Gudali 60.60 ± 2.98a 39.4 ± 2.57 3-00 ± 0.05
5. White Fulani 57.50 ± 3.106b 40.67 ± 3.02 5.00± 0.84
NB Means in the same column with different superscript differs significantly.

Discussion chromatin incidence of 0.0% - 2.0%. Shanker and

Blood chemistry studies are usually undertaken
to establish the diagnostic baseline of blood
characteristics for routine management practices of
farm animals (Onyeyilli et al., 1992; Tambuwal et
al., 2002). X-chromatin (Barr body or drumstick) is
a condensed, inactive X-chromosomes found in the
nucleus of somatic cells of most female animals.
However structural abnormalities of X-chromosome
have been reported to affect the size and shape of
X-chromatin (Monre 1996). The range of x-
chromatin (Barr bodies) frequencies observed in
this study per 200 small polymorph nuclear among
the Nigeria Indigenous bull cattle screened was
between 0.00% - 5% per 200 PMNs. This is
contrary from earlier worker Basrur (1984) who
asserted that normal mammalian males have x-
814 J. Anim. Sci. Adv., 2014, 4(5): 812-816
Bhatia (1984) that assertet the percentage incidence
of x-chromatin (barr bodies) in the male to be
within the normal range which as 0% - 0.5%. This
also conform with the X chromatin profile recorded
amongst groups A(Muturu), B (Red Bororo) and C
(N’ Dama) whose percent incident barr bodies are
0%. White Fulani, and Sokoto Gudali with incedent
of barr bodies as 5% and 3% respectively could
suggest that there may be some kind of X related
aberrations amongst the sampled bulls of these
breeds since the are trade animals to be slaughtered
for meat, and their performance record was not
available as to determine their reproductive ability.
This corroborates with the report Shanker and
Bhatia (1984) that any male animal showing a high
percentage above this range is assumed to be sex
chromosomally abnormal and it show reproductive
 THE X-CHROMATIN (BARR BODIES) STATUS AND DEFERENTIAL …
abnormalities. Wekhe and Akintola (2001) also
documented x – chromatin status of normal male
pigs to conclusion by reasoning that these males are
likely to be free from sex chromosome related
reproductive problems also, Basrur (1984) observed
that some mammalian species such as human and
cattle showed an x-chromatin incidence of 0.0% -
2.0% in normal males, and about 2% - 12% Bhatia
and Shanker (1980) indicated breed variation on the
x-chromatin incidence among local breeds of goats.
Differences were attributed to the influence of
factors such as cell density, DNA content and the
grouping in the animal kingdom (Omeje et al.,
1984). Conversely, this could also be attributed to
the breed variations. But no research evidence to
buttress this assertion.
The variation amongst breeds on the
Neutrophils profile observed in this study could
likely be their natural tendencies. But importantly,
Red sokoto and White Fulani with high Neutrophils
and also better X chromatin profile aggress with the
report of former workers, John et al., (2004), who
reported that Neutrophils (also called PMNs) are the
most numerous leucocyte. Normally, Neutrophils
account for 50-70% of the total circulating white
blood cells (Stvrtinova 1995). Taylor et al., (2002);
Neutrophil leucocytes form the largest portion of
the leucocytes. They form an important element in
the defense system of the body. The numbers of
circulating Neutrophils vary considerably after
rising during bacterial infections, and they combat
antigenic inversions through phagocytic process. No
variation in terms of lymphocyte status amongst the
experimental groups shows that there are no breed
differences amongst the breeds sampled.
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