Animal and human studies have demonstrated that administration of Paraquat has toxic effects. (Solomon et al., 2015).

These doses potentially disrupt neurons and might have adverse effects on behaviour. Animal studies (Solomon et al., 2015).

Research Problems

Studies on the changes in ultrastructural protein (DNA and RNA) following exposure to Paraquat in Drosphila Melanogasta remains partly explained.

Consequence of which is misinformation, poor hands on skill, low quality research publication and an endangered population.

The normal motor activities and ultra-structural architure of the frontal lobe in DM will be compromised following exposure to Paraquat

A more reliable information, improvement on hands on skill and quality publication will be achieved

Justification/Significance of the Study

The study/ summer school will help scientists to improve on the level of accuracy in their researches.

The need for improvement on hands on skill in Neuroscience and Biomedical research in Nigeria.

Aim

The study is aimed at availing ourselves with research tools which not at our disposal and to equip ourselves with hands on skill in Neuroscience and Biomedical research

The objectives of the study were to

To study the neurobehavioral activities of Drosophila Melanogaster following their exposure to Paraquat geotaxis assay ring test, maze heat test, aversive phototoxic assay and photo toxic assay

To study the neurodegenerative changes in DM`s brain using light sheet microscope

To observe the neuronal changes in DM`s brain using flourecence microscope

To extract the DNA and RNA of the DM using polymerase chain reaction and studied under confocal microscope

The materials used for the study included:

Vials, heat maze apparatus etc.

Fig 1: Images of Apparatus Used For the Study. From Top Left-Right and Bottom Left to Right Included: Vials, Heat Maize Apparatus, UC2 Microscope, Dissecting Microscope, Drosophila and Pipette.

Fourty (40) Drosphila Melanogaster flies of both males and females with white and red eye colours  obtained from  Bio RTC, Yobe  state were randomly grouped into four (4) groups of  ten (10) flies each, to reflect equal number of both sex and eye colour

Experimental procedure

The treatment groups (1,2 and 3) were exposed to 0.247mg/ml of sodium chloride contained in their diet (50g of corn flour,10g of yeast,8g of agar-agar and 20ml of Nepagin) for 5 days while the normal had salt free diet and were all placed  under standard laboratory condition.

Neurobehavioral study

On the fifth day, the flies were flipped into an empty vials, subjected to climbing assay, ring assay, heat maze and phototaxis for ten, one and one trial(s) respectively and the data taken for tracking.

Dissection / Microscopy

The flies were anaesthetised using ice block immersion technique.The anaesthetised flies were immersed in a drop of PBS contained in a petri dish and excised under a light microscope in accordance with the method.

Experimental procedure

Brain tissue was removed. Fixed in 10% PFA solution, washed with PBS, and permiabilize with triton 1 times PBS

Statistical Analyses

The data obtained from the study were expressed as mean, +/- (SD) standard error of mean. Student t-test was used to compare the mean difference of two variables, a P- value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Statistical analyses were carried out using using python, c-trax and SPSS statistical package 2022.

The performance index of Drosophila Melanogaster administered parquet and the control group showed significant differences according to dosage. It was observed that there was a significant decrease in the locomotive performance index during negative geotaxis assay in the group administered 30mM paraquat (P.I = 0.6) compared the group administered 0.25mM (P.I = 0.7) and the control group (P.I = 0.8) p- value ≤ 0.05

SD: Standard Deviation, P- value ≤ 0.05, n = 20 (treatment grp.) control = 10

The performance index of Drosophila Melanogaster administered parquet and the control group showed significant differences according to dosage. It was observed that there was a significant increase in the total distance covered  during exposure to altered toxins in the group administered 30mM paraquat  Grp 1(P.I = 24) compared the group administered 0.25mM Grp.2 (P.I = 18) and the control group1 (P.I = 18) and control group 2 (P.I = 15) p- value ≤ 0.05

The speed exhibited by Drosophila Melanogaster administered parquet and the control group showed significant differences according to dosage. It was observed that there was a significant increase in the speed (0.65m/s) in the group administered 30mM paraquat Grp 2 compared to the group administered 0.25mM, (0.65m/sec) Grp. 1. Conversely, it was observed that there was a significant decrease in the speed of the treatment groups 1 and 2 (0.45 0.65) m/sec compared to the control group 2 (0.8m/sec) p- value ≤ 0.05

The velocity of the speed exhibited by Drosophila Melanogaster administered parquet and the control group showed significant differences. It was observed that there was a significant decrease in the velocity of the speed (0.75m/s2) in the group administered 30mM paraquat Grp 2 and the group administered 0.25mM, (0.45m/sec2)  Grp. 1 compared to the control groups 1 and  2 (0.175 and 0.2)m/sec2 p- value ≤ 0.05

Growth and development influences cognition and neuro behaviour in transgenic fly models and in an Eco toxicologically stressed environment.

Fig 2: Mean ± SD Of Performance Index Of DM Administered Parquet And The Control Group, One-Way ANOVA Showed Significant Differences According To Dosage. SD: Standard Deviation, P- Value ≤ 0.05, N = 20 (Treatment Grp) Control = 10.

? Significant difference

Fig 3: Travel Pattern and Distance Covered by DM Using C-Trax Software Application

DM: Drosophila Melanogaster.

Fig 4: Mean ± SD Of Speed Exhibited By DM Administered Parquet And The Control Group One-Way ANOVA Showed Significant Differences According To Dosage. SD: Standard Deviation, P- Value ≤ 0.05, N = 20 (Treatment Grp) Control= 10.

? Significant difference, DM: Drosophila Melanogaster.

1. Solomon U, Gabriel OO, Henry EO, Adrian IO, Anthony TE. Effect of monosodium glutamate on behavioural phenotypes, biomarkers of oxidative stress in brain tissues and liver enzymes in mice. World J Neurosci. 2015; 5:339-349.