Relation between low birth weight and Maternal blood lead levels in Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria: a case-control study

Background: Several epidemiological studies have investigated high lead (Pb) exposure and pregnancy outcomes,but few studies have investigated the association of low lead exposure and low birth weight (LBW). The aims of this study were to estimate the maternal blood lead levels (BLL), to identify determinants for BLL among parturient woman and to evaluate the association of maternal BLL andLBW. Methods: From July 2017 to February 2018, we carried out a case control study in the genecology and obstetrics hospital of Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria. Lead concentrations in maternal blood samples collected at delivery were measured in 29mother who delivered term LBW cases group and 29mother who give birth to a term normal weight baby matched controls.Blood lead levels were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results: Mean maternal BLLwere higher among normal groups than in mothers of LBW, but this difference was not significant (23,076 ±16,120, versus 18,086 ± 6,641 ug/l p=0.247).Our results indicate that the mean lead level was nothigher in LBW neonates, and the whole blood lead was not related to the birth weight. In addition,there was interaction of daily kohl use and maternal BLL. Conclusion:This study suggeststhat maternal BLL was not significantly associated with LBW. Mothers with daily use of kohl during pregnancy were more likely to have elevate blood lead concentrations. Keywords: case-control study, low birth weight, Algeria, lead, kohl

Relation between Concentrations of Lead, Cadmium and Mercury in Cord Blood and Prematurity in the Sidi Bel Abbes Region (West of Algeria)

Background: Exposure to heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury during pregnancy carries a great risk to the mother as well as the fetus. Methods: Lead, cadmium and mercury were measured in umbilical cord blood samples of 3 groups women (30 women’s for lead, 30 cadmium and 10 from mercury) in maternity of Sidi Bel Abbes region in Algeria between 2016 and 2017.The objective of this study was to measure in the blood of the umbilical cord the concentration of lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and cadmium (Cd), and to evaluate the relationship between these levels and prematurity. The lead, cadmium and mercury levels were measured by atomic absorption. Results: The study showed obvious variations in, maternal characteristics. The results revealed several factors predisposing to prematurity. The mean concentrations of cord blood lead, cadmium and mercury were; 18.97 µg/L, 0.26 µg/L, and6.20 nmol/L, respectively.  There was a highly significant direct correlation between cord lead concentrations and gestational age(r=0.43; P = 0.017), and we found that gestational age and birth weight inversely correlated with cord mercury concentration (r=0.44 and r=0.57 respectively).No correlation was observed between cord cadmium concentrations and gestational age. Conclusion: This study has shown that pregnant women in this region were exposed to high levels for heavy metalswhich need an intervention. Keywords: Lead. Cadmium, Mercury, Pregnancy, Prematurity, Fetal exposure, Algeria

Relation between BMI and Semen parameters in male infertility patients in west of Algeria

Introduction: Body mass index BMI is a risk factor that influences semen quality and reduces male fertility. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of body mass index (BMI) on semen parameters in infertile men. Subject and method: A total of 446 infertile men, the study population was divided into four groups depending on their BMI , underweight (<18.5 kg/), normal weight (18.5-24.99 kg/m2 ), overweight 25-29.99 kg/m2), and obese >30.0 kg/.semen parameters (PH, volume, concentration ,total semen count ,vitality, morphology and motility ) were compared across the four BMI groups. Results: The mean of age was 41.91±6.39, the mean infertility duration was 4.92±3.28, 351(78.7٪) had primary infertility and 95(21.3٪) had secondary infertility. The mean BMI was 29.38± 4.85 and the most of patients 45.2٪ were obese. Conclusion: This study has found evidence of an association between BMI and semen parameters (Sperm concentration, Total sperm count, motility, and vitality) and no correlation between Semen volume, morphology and BMI. Keywords: Body mass index, male infertility, semen quality, west of Algeri

Histological study of the effects of aluminum chloride exposure on the brain of wistar rats female

Introduction: Aluminum (Al) has the potential to be neurotoxic in human and animals, is present everywhere in the environment, many manufactured foods and medicines and is also added to drinking water for purification purposes and tooth paste cosmetic products They accumulate in living organisms and disrupt balances, and accumulate in the body biological systems, causing toxic effects (They may affect the nervous system, kidney, liver, respiratory or other functions). Nervous system is a vulnerable target for toxicants due to critical voltages which must be maintained in the cells and the all responses when voltages reach threshold levels. Objective This study aimed to expose the impact of aluminum chloride (AlCl3) on brain architecture. Methods: In our study, twenty healthy female rats were intraperitoneal administered of aluminum chloride (ALCL3) at 10 mg / kg body weight with consecutively for 15 day Result. The results showed a highly significant reduction in body weight (p<0.0001).  This is because aluminum has an anorectic effect contrariwise, there is no significant impact of aluminium exposure has been observed with respect to brain weight and relative brain weight respectively (p<0.912), (p<0.45). The histological study describes the alterations in the brain marked tissue necrosis and cytoplasmic vacuolations and karyopyknosis of neuronal cells of the brain. Conclusion; Aluminum is a toxic heavy metal and a ubiquitous environmental pollutant. It can alter the permeability of the blood-brain barrier and enter the brain, severely affecting the functioning of the nervous system. Keywords: Toxicity, brain, Aluminium chloride, Rats female, necrosis

Impact of Cigarette Smoking on Sperm Parameters of Infertile Men in Center of Algiers (Capital of Algeria)

Background : Cigarette smoking has negative effects on male fertility. Toxins from tobacco smoking can potentially affect sperm development and function, with a negative effect on semen parameters. In fact, the components of cigarette smoke pass through the blood-testis barrier and thus induce an alteration of sperm parameters and nucleus quality of the spermatozoa. The aim is to determine a diffence between tobbaco and no tobbaco patient and semen parameters. This article aimed to assess the relationship between smoking and male infertility. Subject and Methods : this is retrospective study focused on the effects of smoking on semen analyses.  377 men (165 non-smokers, 212  smokers) with infertility for at least 1 year were evaluated between  Mars  and  November 2018, in center of algiers (capital of Algeria). Sperm characteristics (concentration, motility, morphology, and volume) were detemined. Results: Sperm concentration, percentage motility and morphology were significantly lower in an infertile Smokers group than the infertile Nonsmokers group. We also observed that the infertility duration were significantly increased (p<0.05) in accordance with the age in an infertile Smokers group.  Our study shows that cigarette smoking is associated with reduced sperm count and motility. Conclusions: Our results suggest that cigarette smoking has an overall negative effect on semen parameters. Our study suggests that men should be advised to abstain from smoking in order to improve reproductive outcomes. Keywords: smoking, semen, male infertility, sperm, human

Evaluation of the curative role, Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activity of some dietary spices on carrageenan induced paw edema in albino Wistar rats

Background: Inflammation is a major burning problem worldwide and billions of individuals are affected. Some of the spices used daily in Algerian cuisine have been known to possess major anti-inflammatory effects. Turmeric, red pepper, ginger, cinnamon and cumin  etc. are a few of the wide spectrum of spices used in Algeria. The aim of the study was to investigate the antiinflammatory effect  and anti actvity of some dietary spices in carrageenan induced models of inflammation on Wistar  rats. Methods: Albino wistar rats were divided into four groups. Inflammation was induced on the animal by injecting the right hand paw with carrageenan (0.1 ml of 1%). Group 1  was fed with food and water and  treated with carrageenan (control) whereas group 2 and  3 treated with different doses (100 and 200 mg/kg/bw) of aqueous extract of some dietary spices with carrageenan, respectively. Group 4  treated with standard drug diclofenac sodium (10 mg/kg b.w., reference drug for inflammation), once for 24 hrs. Results: The content of total phenolic was 137.2±21.6 mg/g and flavonoids 122.3±5.8 mg/g. After 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 min, the data indicate that  some dietary spices 100 and 200 mg/kg was significantly effective reducing paw edema volumes induced by carrageenan compared to control (p <0.01). The levels of serum pro-inflammatory white blood cells, neutrophile, lymphocyte, monocyte,  eosinophile, total protein and protein c reactive and total cephalin KADIN  and platelts in the control group were significantly increased by carrageenan injection compared with the normal group. The rats pretreated with some spices 100 and 200 mg/kg had significantly lower levels of pro-inflammatory to compare control group. The paw edema in carrageenan-induced rats was considerably reduced by treating with 100 and 200  mg/kg aqueous extract of some dietary spices when compared to the untreated  rats (p<0.001). Conclusion : The present results clearly demonstarted that carrageenan significantly increased paw edema whereas some dietary treated rats significantly decreased the paw edema. The study underlines the importance of some of the frequently used spices (Turmeric, red pepper, ginger, cinnamon and cumin)  in the treatment of inflammation

Does BMI Really Alter the Hormonal Profile in Infertile Women? Retrospective Study in the Region of Sidi Bel Abbes (West Algeria)

Background: In last few years .; it’s  increasingly being recognized  that  Reproductive function is controlled by the hypothalamic–pituitary– gonadal axis, which is regulated by numerous endogenous and environmental factors  such us adipose accumulation in obesity  contributing to reproductive failure  such as menstrual disorders and infertility, gestational failure and obstetric complications, and infertility , Distinct changes in circulating sex hormones appear to underline these abnormalities. The objective: The aim of this study was to elucidate the possible correlation between body mass index as fatness indicator and hormonal profile in infertile women from the west of Algeria. To identify the impact of overweight  and obesity on female hormonal profile ; we  conducted a prospective study  measuring pituitary hormones  (FSH  and LH and prolactin ) , steroid sex hormones ( progesterone , testosterone and estradiol ) , anti miulleian hormone , and thyroidal hormones (FT3 , FT4 and TSH) in 360 women  consulting for subfertility in private genecologycal and obstetrical centers in SID BELABESS (West of Algeria ) Result: Our study showed that the majority of patients were aged between 20 and 29 years, representing a percentage of 47.8%, with the average age in sample (31.65 ± 6,93ans). The majority of subjects was obese   46.4%, or overweight (39.4%) with an average BMI of (29.76 ± 4,85Kg / m2). No statistically significant association was found between the BMI as obesity indicator with hormonal levels of pituitary hormones  (FSH  and LH and prolactin ) , steroid sex hormones ( progesterone , testosterone and estradiol ) , anti miulleian hormone , and thyroidal hormones (FT3 , FT4 and TSH). A negative and statistically significant correlation between the age of the patients and the AMH level (R = -0.60, P <0.01) was noted. Conclusion: The results of our study showed that the majority of women included in our study had a high BMI but no statistical significant difference was found between underweight , normal , overweight and obese women , that’s why more studies should be conducted to elucidate the in which level does obesity impair the reproductive outcomes. Keywords: Female infertility, hormonal profile, BMI, SBA, Algeria

Ovarian dysfunction following prenatal exposure to an insecticide, chlordecone, associates with altered epigenetic features

International audienceChlordecone (CD) is an insecticide that was used in the French West Indies for several years to control the banana root borer pest. Given its nonsignificant degradation, it persists in the environment. CD is a carcinogenic compound with reproductive and developmental toxicity and is a recognized endocrine-disrupting chemical. In this study, we examined the effects of CD on female reproductive system of mice with the focus on epigenetic features in ovary. Our data show that gestational exposure to low dose of CD affects meiotic double-strand breaks repair in female embryos. In adult mice derived from CD-treated pregnant females, we observed delayed puberty, decreased number of primordial and increased number of atretic follicles. Gene expression analysis revealed that Rcbtb2 and Rbpms genes were not expressed in embryonic gonads. Estrogen signaling- and oocyte maturation-associated genes were downregulated in adult ovaries. The morphological changes were associated with altered epigenetic features: increased H2Aub and increased H3K27me3 and decreased H4ac and H3K4me3 in embryonic oocytes. The DNA damage-associated, γH2AX marks were detected in the follicles of treated but not control adult ovaries. We also found reduced H3K4me3 and H4ac in fully grown oocytes of the treated ovaries. The ChIP-seq analysis of H3K4me3 in adult ovaries showed that target genes of ZFP57 and TRIM28, which regulate pluripotency and imprinting, were significantly enriched in altered regions. Our study clearly demonstrates that gestational exposure to a low dose of CD impairs the function of female reproductive system and the changes are associated with altered epigenetic features