Effectiveness of New Born Care Programme on Perceived Maternal Competence and Satisfaction of Nigerian Mothers

The new born needs frequent care. This depends on the mother’s awareness, attitude and skills, thus maternal competence is vital. Therefore a new born care teaching programme to increase maternal competence and satisfaction is needed. To determine the effect of new born care programme on maternal competence and association between the maternal competence and selected demographic profiles among antenatal mothers, a Quasi - experimental pretest- posttest design study with control group was conducted. 80 pregnant mothers attending antenatal clinic were recruited based on the inclusion criteria. The intervention was new born care programme using audio-visual teaching. The study group and comparison group had 40 participants each. Outcomes were measured with the Parenting Sense of Competence (PSOC) scale at baseline and post intervention at two days after delivery. Mothers who received new born care program had an improvement in the maternal competence from low (pretest) to high (post test) satisfaction rating. Significant difference was identified between the pretest and post test of the study group according to efficacy (t= 3.92, p = 0.0078) and satisfaction (t = 4.748, p = 0.0014). There was a significant difference (p = 0.0397, t = -2.453) in the level of maternal competence between the study and comparison group after the new born care programme at satisfaction rating. Significant relationship was established (P<0.05) between the level of maternal competence and age (x2= 8.95, p= 0.014) and parity (x2=6.85, p = 0.0325) only but not with education, employment and family support. The new born care program was effective in improving the maternal competence of antenatal mothers. Mother’s age and parity were identified to influence maternal competence.  We therefore suggest that new born care program be used to enhance the knowledge and competence of mothers on new born care using audio-visual teaching method. Keywords: Antenatal mothers, Maternal competence, New born care program, Parenting Sense of Competence (PSOC) scale, Satisfactio

Pausinylstalia yohimbe Affects Reproductive Hormones, Estrus Cycle and Folliculogenesis in Adult Female Rats

Pausinystalia yohimbe (P. yohimbe) has long been used by West African tribes, as an aphrodisiac among men and for the treatment of erectile dysfunctions in the sub-Saharan region of Africa. More recently, women use it to enhance arousal and libido while infertile women use it to improve chances of conceiving. However, there are no studies on the effects of P. yohimbe on female reproduction. Therefore, this study examined its effects on reproductive hormones and organs, estrus cycle and folliculogenesis in adult female rats.Eighteen adult female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly allocated into three groups. Group A was the control while groups B and C served as the treatment groups. Group A received 0.5ml normal saline daily while groups B and C received 150mg/kg and 300mg/kg body weights of aqueous extracts of P. yohimbe respectively via oral gavages for 6 weeks. Vaginal smear of the rats were taken daily for 4 weeks after the first week of drug administration to determine their estrous cycles. After six weeks, rats were sacrificed and sera obtained from the rats were assayed for sex steroid hormones; Estradiol (E2) and Progesterone and gonadotropic hormones; Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). Ovaries and uteri were removed for histological processing and antral follicle counting.Estrous cycle was irregular in groups B and C. Serum hormonal levels of E2, Progesterone, FSH and LH for the test groups differed from those of the controls were not significant. Follicles including corpus lutea were significantly decreased and tissue destruction as well as necrosis were observed in some areas of the ovaries and uteri of groups B and C.P. yohimbe despite its usefulness in enhancing arousal and libido in females, it affects reproductive hormones, estrous cycle and folliculogenesis. Its prolonged use may lead to reduced reproductive functions and negatively affect fertility. Keywords: Estrus cycle, Folliculogenesis, Pausinylstalia yohimbe, Rats, Reproductive hormone

Does Sweet Pausinylstalia Yohimbe Affect Reproductive Hormones, Accessory Glands and Sperm in Rats?

Sweet Pausinylstalia yohimbe (Sweet P. yohimbe) is popularly known for its aphrodisiac actions and widely used for the treatment of erectile dysfunctions in the sub-Saharan region of Africa. However, little is known of its effects on reproductive hormones and sperm production. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of Sweet P. yohimbe on reproductive steroid hormones, male accessory glands and sperm in the rat.Seventeen adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into three groups. Group A (control group) had 5 rats and received 0.5ml of normal saline, while groups B and C (test groups) had 6 rats each and received 150mg/kg and 300mg/kg body weights of aqueous extract of Sweet P. yohimbe respectively via oral gavages daily for 4weeks. The rats were weighed prior to Sweet P. yohimbe treatment and just before sacrifice. Tissues obtained (testes, prostate and seminal vesicles) were used for histological studies and sera for hormonal measurements. Sperm concentration, motility and vitality were also determined using sperm from the caudal epididymis and vas deference. There was a statistical significant reduction in bodyweights in test groups but none in the organ body weight ratio. There were significantly decreased sperm concentrations and motility in tests groups while vitality was normal amongst all groups. Head to head sperm agglutination was also seen in the tests groups. A dose dependent decrease in the testosterone/estradiol ratio was observed. Cell destruction, epithelial thinning and pseudostratification were also seen in the testes, prostate and seminal vesicles.Sweet P. yohimbe has a dose dependent effect on reproductive steroid hormones, sperm concentration and motility as well as male accessory glands in rats as seen in this study. This may impair reproductive functions and fertility. Keywords:  Accessory glands, Rats, Sweet Pausinylstalia yohimbe, Reproductive hormones, Sperm motility, Sperm concentratio

Adverse Effects of Prolonged Use of Pausinystalia yohimbe on Sperm and Reproductive Organs in Rats

Pausinystalia yohimbe (P. yohimbe) was first discovered and used by tribes in West Africa, where it grows wild mostly in the Atlantic evergreen forest throughout West Africa from South-east Nigeria to Congo. P. yohimbe bark extract is commonly used as an aphrodisiac among men and for the treatment of erectile dysfunctions. More recently, due to infertility more men have resorted to using P. yohimbe to improve chances of having baby. However, there are no studies on the effects of P. yohimbe on sperm motility and movement characteristics. This study examined its effects on reproductive organs, sperm production and motility in rats.Fifteen male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were divided into 3 groups of 5 rats. Group A was the control while groups B and C served as the test groups. Group A received 0.5ml of normal saline daily while groups B and C received orally 150mg/kg and 300mg/kg body weights of aqueous extracts of P. yohimbe respectively for 4 weeks. Serum samples obtained from the rats were assayed for reproductive hormones (Testosterone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Estradiol (E2)). Testes, Seminal Vesicles and the Prostates were removed for histology, while sperm count, motility and vitality were done using sperm from the caudal epididymis and vas deference.Mean percentage change in body weights of groups B and C were significant when compared to control group A. There was significant reduction in sperm motility and concentration in the test groups, but none in sperm vitality. Serum hormonal levels of Testosterone, FSH, LH and E2 were not significantly different from the control. However, there was a significant reduction in testosterone / E2 ratio in the test groups. Degenerative changes were observed in the testes, prostate and seminal vesicles.Prolonged use of P.yohimbe adversely affects the testes, male accessory glands, sperm concentration and motility. This may lead to reduced reproductive functions and male infertility. Keywords: P. yohimbe, Accessory glands, Testis, Sperm motility, Sperm concentratio

Effects of Crude Oil contaminated Water on the reproductive system of Female Wistar Rats

The rising level of infertility in the females have been associated with environmental pollutants and one such pollutants is crude oil. Crude oil pollution occurs in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria and interaction with this toxicant by both humans and animals may adversely the female reproductive system. This study was designed to investigate the effect of crude oil contaminated water on reproductive functions in female Wistar rats. Fifteen (15) female rats weighing between 140g-230g were used for this study and the rats were divided into three (3) groups (1, 2 and 3) and each group had five rats. Group 1 was the control group while group 2 and 3 were the test groups receiving 2.5mls and 5mls of crude oil contaminated water twice daily for four weeks. The stages of Oestrus cycle of the rats were checked daily. The rats were sacrificed after four weeks and the blood collected were used for hormonal assays (Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), Testosterone). The uterus and ovaries were used for histology (Haematoxylin and Eosin staining), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. The results were analyzed using GraphPad Prism software for windows and data were expressed as mean±standard error of mean. Statistical significance was accepted at p<0.05. There was no significant changes (p>0.05) in the weights and relative reproductive organ weights (uterus and ovary) of among the three groups. FSH and LH in the test group of rats fed with crude oil contaminated water when compared with the control were not statistically significant (p<0.05). Oestradiol was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the test group whereas progesterone and progesterone-oestradiol ratio was significantly elevated (p<0.05) in the test groups when compared with the control. There were degenerative changes in the ovaries and uterus of rats fed with crude oil contaminated water when compared with the control. SOD was significantly reduced (p<0.05) in the test group while MDA was elevated in the ovaries and uterus of the test group. The oestrus cycle was irregular in the test groups.   Crude oil contaminated water has endocrine disrupting effects on the female reproductive system as well as inducing oxidative stress and this may adversely affect female reproductive functions and fertility. KEY WORDS: Crude oil contaminated water, Endocrine disruptor, Female reproductive functions, Oxidative stress DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/72-05 Publication date: June 30th 202

The Octopamine Receptor OAMB Mediates Ovulation via Ca2+/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II in the Drosophila Oviduct Epithelium

Ovulation is an essential physiological process in sexual reproduction; however, the underlying cellular mechanisms are poorly understood. We have previously shown that OAMB, a Drosophila G-protein-coupled receptor for octopamine (the insect counterpart of mammalian norepinephrine), is required for ovulation induced upon mating. OAMB is expressed in the nervous and reproductive systems and has two isoforms (OAMB-AS and OAMB-K3) with distinct capacities to increase intracellular Ca2+ or intracellular Ca2+ and cAMP in vitro. Here, we investigated tissue specificity and intracellular signals required for OAMB's function in ovulation. Restricted OAMB expression in the adult oviduct epithelium, but not the nervous system, reinstated ovulation in oamb mutant females, in which either OAMB isoform was sufficient for the rescue. Consistently, strong immunoreactivities for both isoforms were observed in the wild-type oviduct epithelium. To delineate the cellular mechanism by which OAMB regulates ovulation, we explored protein kinases functionally interacting with OAMB by employing a new GAL4 driver with restricted expression in the oviduct epithelium. Conditional inhibition of Ca2+/Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), but not protein kinase A or C, in the oviduct epithelium inhibited ovulation. Moreover, constitutively active CaMKII, but not protein kinase A, expressed only in the adult oviduct epithelium fully rescued the oamb female's phenotype, demonstrating CaMKII as a major downstream molecule conveying the OAMB's ovulation signal. This is consistent with the ability of both OAMB isoforms, whose common intracellular signal in vitro is Ca2+, to reinstate ovulation in oamb females. These observations reveal the critical roles of the oviduct epithelium and its cellular components OAMB and CaMKII in ovulation. It is conceivable that the OAMB-mediated cellular activities stimulated upon mating are crucial for secretory activities suitable for egg transfer from the ovary to the uterus

The Octopamine Receptor OAMB Mediates Ovulation via Ca2+/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II in the Drosophila Oviduct Epithelium

Ovulation is an essential physiological process in sexual reproduction; however, the underlying cellular mechanisms are poorly understood. We have previously shown that OAMB, a Drosophila G-protein-coupled receptor for octopamine (the insect counterpart of mammalian norepinephrine), is required for ovulation induced upon mating. OAMB is expressed in the nervous and reproductive systems and has two isoforms (OAMB-AS and OAMB-K3) with distinct capacities to increase intracellular Ca2+ or intracellular Ca2+ and cAMP in vitro. Here, we investigated tissue specificity and intracellular signals required for OAMB's function in ovulation. Restricted OAMB expression in the adult oviduct epithelium, but not the nervous system, reinstated ovulation in oamb mutant females, in which either OAMB isoform was sufficient for the rescue. Consistently, strong immunoreactivities for both isoforms were observed in the wild-type oviduct epithelium. To delineate the cellular mechanism by which OAMB regulates ovulation, we explored protein kinases functionally interacting with OAMB by employing a new GAL4 driver with restricted expression in the oviduct epithelium. Conditional inhibition of Ca2+/Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), but not protein kinase A or C, in the oviduct epithelium inhibited ovulation. Moreover, constitutively active CaMKII, but not protein kinase A, expressed only in the adult oviduct epithelium fully rescued the oamb female's phenotype, demonstrating CaMKII as a major downstream molecule conveying the OAMB's ovulation signal. This is consistent with the ability of both OAMB isoforms, whose common intracellular signal in vitro is Ca2+, to reinstate ovulation in oamb females. These observations reveal the critical roles of the oviduct epithelium and its cellular components OAMB and CaMKII in ovulation. It is conceivable that the OAMB-mediated cellular activities stimulated upon mating are crucial for secretory activities suitable for egg transfer from the ovary to the uterus

A Host Defense Mechanism Involving CFTR-Mediated Bicarbonate Secretion in Bacterial Prostatitis

BACKGROUND: Prostatitis is associated with a characteristic increase in prostatic fluid pH; however, the underlying mechanism and its physiological significance have not been elucidated. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In this study a primary culture of rat prostatic epithelial cells and a rat prostatitis model were used. Here we reported the involvement of CFTR, a cAMP-activated anion channel conducting both Cl(-) and HCO(3)(-), in mediating prostate HCO(3)(-) secretion and its possible role in bacterial killing. Upon Escherichia coli (E. coli)-LPS challenge, the expression of CFTR and carbonic anhydrase II (CA II), along with several pro-inflammatory cytokines was up-regulated in the primary culture of rat prostate epithelial cells. Inhibiting CFTR function in vitro or in vivo resulted in reduced bacterial killing by prostate epithelial cells or the prostate. High HCO(3)(-) content (>50 mM), rather than alkaline pH, was found to be responsible for bacterial killing. The direct action of HCO(3)(-) on bacterial killing was confirmed by its ability to increase cAMP production and suppress bacterial initiation factors in E. coli. The relevance of the CFTR-mediated HCO(3)(-) secretion in humans was demonstrated by the upregulated expression of CFTR and CAII in human prostatitis tissues. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The CFTR and its mediated HCO(3)(-) secretion may be up-regulated in prostatitis as a host defense mechanism

Immunity and vaccines against sexually transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis infection

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review recent findings on immunity and vaccine development to Chlamydia trachomatis. RECENT FINDINGS: There is increasing knowledge on the interactions between Chlamydia trachomatis and infected host cells. During genital infection the organism avoids generating protective immunity but immune responses to a number of chlamydial proteins have been associated with reproductive tract pathology. Various vaccine and adjuvant preparations have been tried experimentally. Information generated by proteomics and complex studies of serological and T-lymphocyte immune responses points to novel vaccine candidates. SUMMARY: Chlamydia trachomatis, an obligate intracellular bacterium, is the commonest sexually transmitted infection worldwide and is associated with reproductive pathology. To develop rational vaccines it is necessary to understand the complex life-cycle of the organism, the host immune response to infection and how these relate to disease. Infection does not prevent reinfection and antibiotic treatment prevents antibody production at a population level. It remains unclear what type of immune response would be sufficient to prevent infection and/or reinfection. Although the prevalence and demographics of infection and the severity of disease associations suggest it would be desirable, there is no vaccine currently available. A number of studies have identified novel vaccine candidates