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ABSTRACT
Crowding is often characterized by an increased population density that exceeds the optimal capacity of the environment, resulting in reduced personal space and heightened competition for resources. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of crowding (space limitation) on some liver function indices in male wistar rats. The rats were randomly divided into 5 groups for a period of 7 weeks, (Group A, B, C, D, E). Group A (Control group) were placed in a cage with the dimension 42cm × 30cm × 24cm. Group B animals were placed in a cage having the same size and dimension as that of the control that is 42cm × 30cm × 24cm. Group C were placed in a cage that was ¾ the size of the control 31.5cm × 22.5cm × 24cm. Group D animals were placed in a cage half the size of the control 21cm × 30cm × 24cm. Group E animals were placed in a cage that is ¼ the size of the control that is 21cm × 15cm × 24cm. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were obtained to carry out biochemical analysis to determine the serum concentrations of conjugated and total bilirubin, and the activities of liver enzymes such as AST, ALT and ALP. Statistical analysis was done using graph pad prism version 8.0.1. Results were presented as mean, ± standard error of mean. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the means of tests and control values while post-hoc test was done using Tukey’s multiple comparison test and a “p” value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The results revealed a significant increase in ALT and AST while ALP, conjugated and total bilirubin we’re not significant. It was therefore concluded that crowding stress may be harmful to the liver.
