Journal of Advances in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Aim: To evaluate the effects of graded doses of ethanolic stem bark extract of Picralima nitida on haematological profile, some serum reproductive hormones, sperm reserves and testicular histomorphology of male albino rats. Study Design: Thirty male albino rats, weighing between 120 and 200 grams were randomly assigned into six groups of five rats each. Group A received 0.5 ml of distilled water (normal control). Groups B, C and D received 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg BW of the extract respectively. Group E received 2.5 mg/kg BW of CdCl2 (negative control), while Group F received 5 mg/kg BW of Sildenafil (positive control); orally every other day for six weeks. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology (Laboratory Animal Unit), University of Nigeria, Nsukka, between June and September, 2015. Methodology: At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected for haematology and serology, whereas testicular sections were collected for histopathology following the standards procedures. Data obtained were analyzed by One-way ANOVA. Results: The result showed that all doses of the extract increased neutrophil count, but decreased (P < 0.05) monocyte and RBC counts; 200 and 400 mg/kg BW of the extract decreased (P < 0.05) PCV values; and only 400 mg/kg of the extract reduced (P < 0.05) HB values. 200 and 400 mg/kg BW of the extract, and 2.5 mg/kg BW of CdCl2 decreased (P < 0.05) serum testosterone and sperm counts. The normal control, 100 mg/kg BW of the extract and 5 mg/kg BW of Sildenafil had normal testicular histoarchitecture; whereas 200 and 400 mg/kg BW of the extract, and 2.5 mg/kg BW of CdCl2 had slight, moderate and severe degeneration of the germinal epithelium and interstitium, with depletion of sperm cells in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules respectively. Conclusion: This study revealed that treatment with ethanolic stem bark extract of Picralima nitida above 100 mg/kg BW adversely affected haematological and reproductive parameters in male albino rats

Hypoglycaemic and Hypolipidemic Effects of Black Brand of Lipton Tea (Camellia sinensis) on Normal Male Albino Rats

Recently, considerable attention has been focused on dietary supplements that possess hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic properties in lieu of the synergistically synthesized drugs like statins and metiform which have been proven to have adverse effects. This present work was carried out to study the potential effects of Lipton tea aqueous extract (LTAE) on normal male albino rats. 36 six male Wistar rats weighing 115-150 g were assigned into four main groups; each group was divided into three subgroups, consisting of three replicates namely R1, R2 and R3 making a total of nine rats in each of the main groups. Group 1 served as the control and received only water, Group 2 received 200 mg/kg of LTAE, Group 3 received 400 mg/kg of the LTAE, while Group 4 received 800 mg/kg of LTAE. All treatment was given orally on daily basis for 28 consecutive days, but the parameters were assessed on weekly basis. The result revealed that, weight gain, fasting blood sugar and serum (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c and VLDL-c) significantly (p < 0.05) decrease in all the treated groups while HDL-c significantly (p < 0.05) increased when compared to the control group. The Lipton tea aqueous extract induced both a dose-dependent and a time-dependent effect in the parameters measured, apart from the total cholesterol which did not show a dose-dependent effect. This led to an overall decrease in the antherogenic index and coronary risk index, suggesting that LTAE possesses hypoglycaemic and hypoglycaemic activities in normal male rats

Statistical Investigation of Satisfaction Level of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Users in a Nigeria University [University of Benin, Benin City: A Case Study]

This study aims at investigating the satisfaction level of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) users in a Nigerian University (University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria: A case study). We observed that there were no differences in the mean knowledge of ATM features among the sex and status of the staff and students (respondents) of the University. The study also revealed that the staff and students of the University are satisfied with the present ATM facilities in the University, but preferred 200 naira notes to the present 500 and 1000 naira notes being dispensed by ATM at various locations in the University.Keywords: Automated Teller Machine, questionnaire, respondent, satisfaction, surcharge, hypothesis

Impact of periconceptional and gestational vitamin D3 restriction on fetal folliculogenesis and anti-mullerian hormone secretion using sheep as a model

Ovarian reserve is a reflection of the overall female reproductive potential. Vitamin D status has been suspected to influence fetal development and female fertility. As maternal diet during pregnancy can affect fetal development and future fertility, we hypothesized that periconceptional and gestational vitamin D restriction could affect folliculogenesis and AMH secretion in the offspring. Nineteen sexually mature Welsh mountain ewes were randomly assigned to vitamin D3 deficient (VDD, n=10) and vitamin D3 control (VDC, n=9) diets from 17 days (d) before mating, up to 127-130 d of gestation, when fetal ovaries were collected (3 from VDC and 6 from VDD). Serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations were lower in VDD compared with VDC (P 0.05). Relative expression of AMH mRNA and AMH protein in VDD fetal ovaries were not statistically different compared with controls (P > 0.05). The relative expression of VDR mRNA were lower in VDD compared with VDC group fetal ovaries (P < 0.05). These data indicate that maternal vitamin D dietary restriction is associated with ovarian tissue stemness and increased primordial follicle number, but does not promote normal follicle recruitment or development in sheep fetal ovaries