Genetic differentiation between black-skinned and white-skinned ectotypes of giant African land snails (Archachatina marginata) in Calabar, Nigeria

This noble research provides information on the genetic differentiation between black-skinned and white-skinned ectotypes of giant African land snails (Archachatina marginata). Ten (10) snails consisting of five (5) black-skinned and five (5) white-skinned ectotypes were examined by using the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. Five (5) primers (OPAD-09, OPAE-04, OPAE-05, OPAF-07 and OPAF-09) were screened and selected to amplify DNA from the ten (10) samples of snails. A total of 31 bands were generated from the two snail types, out of which 14 bands were generated from the black-skinned ectotype, while 17 bands were from the whiteskinned ectotype. The DNA banding between the two ectotypes showed no statistical difference (P > 0.05) between the black-skinned and the white-skinned ectotypes of Archachatina marginata. There were however, relative high genetic differences in numerical number of bands between the two ectotypes. This implied that the genetic similarities are relatively low. The high genetic differences between the two ectotypes of Archachatina marginata snails studied signaled high level of genetic diversity and heterogeneity among the giant African land snails (GALS).Keywords: DNA, Banding, Differentiation, Black-skinned, White-skinne

BIOLOGICAL RESPONSE OF MALE RATS TO AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF GINGER (Zingiber officinale ROSCOE)

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the biological response of male rats to treatment with aqueous extract of ginger. Methods: Eighteen healthy and sexually mature male albino rats of 12 weeks old were used as the mammalian model for this study. They were assigned to three groups of six rats each and treated with aqueous extract of ginger at 0, 100 and 200 mg/Kg BW/day respectively for 7 days intraperitoneally. Blood was collected by cardiac puncture for hormonal assay. Cauda epididymes were dissected out, weighed and processed for epididymal sperm count. Results: Aqueous extract of ginger increased significantly (P<0.05) the weight of epididymes and epididymal sperm count. It also increased the serum levels of testosterone and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), while it decreased the serum levels of estradiol, prolactin and luteinizing hormone/interstitial cell stimulating hormone (LH/ICSH). Conclusions: The androgenic and pro-fertility effect of the aqueous extract of ginger in the mammalian model makes it a possible fertility booster

EFFECTS OF PROCESSED HORSE EYE BEAN (MUCUNA URENS L.) ON THE HORMONAL MILIEU OF MALE RATS

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the effect of processed horse eye bean (Mucuna urens L.), a soup thickener on serum level of some sex hormones: testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone/interstitial cell stimulating hormone (LH/ICSH), estradiol and prolactin in male rats. Methods: Twenty male albino rats of 12 weeks old with similar body weights were assigned to four groups of 6 rats each and treatment with processed horse eye bean at 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight respectively daily for 8 weeks. Blood samples collected through cardiac puncture were assayed for levels of hormones. Results: There were dose-dependent effects of the processed horse eye bean on the serum concentration of the hormones. The treatment significantly reduced the levels of testosterone and FSH in the serum while it significantly increased the levels of estradiol, LH/ICSH and prolactin. Conclusions: Processed horse eye bean had strong capability to disrupt hormonal functions. Hence, its indiscriminate use as soup thickener could increase the risk of infertility in males

EFFECT OF PROCESSED HORSE EYE BEAN (MUCUNA URENS L.) ON THE HORMONAL MILIEU OF MALE RATS

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the effect of processed horse eye bean (Mucuna urens L.), a soup thickener on serum level of some sex hormones: testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone/interstitial cell stimulating hormone (LH/ICSH), estradiol and prolactin in male rats. Methods: Twenty male albino rats of 12 weeks old with similar body weights were assigned to four groups of 6 rats each and treatment with processed horse eye bean at 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight respectively daily for 8 weeks. Blood samples collected through cardiac puncture were assayed for levels of hormones. Results: There were dose-dependent effects of the processed horse eye bean on the serum concentration of the hormones. The treatment significantly reduced the levels of testosterone and FSH in the serum while it significantly increased the levels of estradiol, LH/ICSH and prolactin. Conclusions: Processed horse eye bean had strong capability to disrupt hormonal functions. Hence, its indiscriminate use as soup thickener could increase the risk of infertility in males

Effect of chloroquine treatments on sperm count and weight of testes in male rats

No Abstract.Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 14 (2) 2008 pp.175-17

Comparative Toxicity of Five Commonly Used Analgesics on Rat Sperm Count and Sperm Morphology

No Abstract Available Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol.11(1) 2005: 81-8

REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY OF PROCESSED SEEDS OF HORSE EYE BEAN (MUCUNA URENS L.) IN MALE RATS

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the effect of processed horse eye bean (Mucuna urens L.), on weight of testes and epididymes, conception rate, sperm count, sperm viability and sperm head abnormality. Methods: Seventy-two mature albino rats (24 males and 48 females) of 12 weeks old with similar body weights were assigned to four groups of 6 male rats each and treated with processed horse eye bean at 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight respectively daily for 8 weeks. The male rats were made to sire the untreated female rats in the ratio of 1:2 for fertility test. The male rats were then sacrificed and the testes and epididymes were dissected out and weighed. The epididymes were processed for epididymal sperm count, viability and sperm head abnormality test. Results: Rats treated with processed horse eye bean showed no significant (P>0.05) effect on the weight of testes and epididymes, but treatment reduced the epididymal sperm count and sperm viability in dose-dependent manner when compared to the control. While it significantly (P<0.05) increased sperm head abnormality. The conception rates were significantly (P<0.05) reduced in a dosedependent manner and directly proportional to sperm viability and sperm count; and inversely proportional to sperm head abnormality in all the treatment groups. Conclusions: Processed horse eye bean still has some toxic effect on reproductive endpoints as well as conception rate. Hence, its indiscriminate use as soup thickener could result in reduction of spermatogenic activities and ultimately resulting in infertility, reproductive toxicity and dysfunctions

Effect of crude extract of carica papaja seeds on the reproductive efficiency of male albino rats

No Abstract.Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 13 (3) 2007: pp.365-36