Effects of Cyanide and Thiocyanate on Thyroxine in Rabbits

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VI, Issue VII, July 2019 | ISSN 2321–2705

Effects of Cyanide and Thiocyanate on Thyroxine in Rabbits

Adedeji S. Asher^1*, Chris A. Etonihu² and Dauda S. Mary³

¹Chemistry Unit, Mathematics Programme, National Mathematical Centre, P. M. B. 118, Abuja, Nigeria
²Chemistry Department, Faculty of Natural and Applied Science, Nasarawa State University, P. M. B. 1022, Keffi, Nigeria
³Chemistry Department, Faculty of Applied and Natural Sciences, University of Abuja, P. M. B. 117, Abuja, Nigeria
*Correspondence Author

Abstract:- Effects of cyanide and thiocyanate on triiodothionine (T3) and the tetraiodothyonine (T4) of the thyroxine were determined on some rabbits selected from Keffi town in Nigeria. The rabbits were fed with food mixed with controlled amounts of cyanide and thiocyanate solutions over a period of six weeks.  The effects of cyanide and thiocyanate on the thyroxine were determined spectrophotometrically on  seven groups of the rabbit samples R1 (control) to R7.  The results showed a significant (<0.05) depletion in T3 and T4 over the period of six weeks of the studies. For Rabbits R2 (T3: from 3.08ngml^-1 to 3.00 ngm l^-1; T4: from 132.2 ngm l^-1 to 132.0 ngm l^-1); R3 (T3: from 3.06 ngm l^-1  to 3.06 ngml T4: from 132.00 ngm l^-1  to 131.60 ngm l^-1); R4 (T3: no change; T4: from 132.40 ngml^-1  to 129.50 ngm l^-1); R5 (T3: from 3.05 ngm l^-1  to 3.00 ngm l^-1; T4: from 132.10 ngml^-1 to 131.50 ngml^-1); R6 (T3: no change; T4: 132.00 ngml^-1  to 130.00 ngml^-1) and R7(T3: from 3.08 ngml^-1 to 2.90 ngml^-1; T4: from 133.00 ngml^-1  to 129.50 ngm l^-1). Although the thyroid levels of the animal samples were affected by both the cyanide and the thiocyanate, no visible change in the size of the thyroid glands were observed within the period.

Keywords: Cassava, Cyanide, and Thyroxine.

I. INTRODUCTION

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is one of the world’s most important root crop because its tubers are largely used for food, starch production and as livestock feed. It is used in many countries of Africa, Latin America and some Asian countries.  Though it has its origin in South America, cassava has become a staple crop in the tropics having been widely grown and used. It has played vital roles in the diets of many African countries as a major source of low cost carbohydrate (Ravindran et al) 1992).

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