review on some causes of male infertility

This work reviews a wide range of factors that are responsible for male infertility. The normal human sperm cell measures 50-60 m in length and has head, neck, middle piece and tail. The head is oval in shape and is 3-5 m in length and 2-3 m in width. The mid-piece is slender, straight and regular in outline. It is aligned with the long axis of the head, and is approximately 7-8 m in length. Its width is about one third of the head. The tail is slender, straight and regular in outline and is 40-45 m in length. The ability to fertilize oocytes is considered as the ultimate test of sperm function. A male is said to be infertile if he is unable to impregnate his partner after one year of unprotected intercourse. Some cases of male infertility are due to anatomical abnormalities such as varicoceles. This work reviewed some natural and synthetic products that have been implicated in male infertility. There is also a section on some medicinal plants that are responsible for male infertility

Preliminary study on the effect of castration and testosterone replacement on testosterone level in the New Zealand male rabbit

To study the effect of castration and testosterone replacement on the testosterone level of the New Zealand  rabbit, 16 apparently healthy adult male rabbits were used. The animals were divided into four groups with  each group having four rabbits. The first group served as the control group. The rabbits in the second group  were unilaterally castrated, while those in the third group were bilaterally castrated. The rabbits in the fourth group were bilaterally castrated and then had testosterone replacement. The normal value of plasma  testosterone in the male New Zealand rabbit was 7.17 ± 0.72 nmol/L. There was a sharp significant (p<0.05) drop in the level of testosterone one week after unilateral castration and by 2nd week, it returned to the  pre-castration value. The plasma level of testosterone also dropped significantly (p<0.05) after one week of  castration in the bilaterally castrated and bilaterally castrated with testosterone replacement groups, and by 2nd week in the latter group (bilaterally castrated with testosterone replacement), the plasma level had risen to a slightly higher value than pre-castration value. In the bilaterally castrated group, the plasma level of  testosterone also rose but was lower than the pre-castration value. The study shows that the unilateral  castration does not permanently alter the plasma testosterone level as does the bilateral castration.Key words: Castration, New Zealand rabbit, testosterone, testosterone replacement

Short Communication: Erythrocyte osmotic fragility, haematological and plasma bio-chemical parameters of the Nigerian White Fulani cattle

No Abstract Available Bull Anim. Hlth. Prod. Afr. Vol.52(3) 2004: 208-21

Effects of aqueous leaves extract of Waltheria indica Linn on reproductive indices of male albino rats

Wide usage of Waltheria indica plant has been reported but its effects on the reproductive indices of male albino rats have not been evaluated. This study investigates the effects of W. indica leaf extract on the sperm counts, motility, live-dead ratio and sperm morphological abnormality of male albino rats. Thirty six (36) healthy white male albino rats were randomly selected and divided into six groups. Each of the treated groups was administered with different concentrations of aqueous leaf extract for 21 days after which the semen samples were taken for analysis of reproductive parameters. The testicles were also removed for histological study. There was significant decrease (p<0.01) in sperm motility and sperm counts at doses 800, 1600 and 2000 mg/kg. The live-dead ratio was also significantly decreased (p<0.01) at 2000 mg/kg dose. There was also significant increase in total abnormal cell for all the treated groups. The extract induced periportal cellular infiltration and interstitial congestion on the testes of the treated rats.Keywords: Waltheria indica, motility, sperm counts, live-dead ratio, abnormal cell, histology, rats.African Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(31) 3307-331

Haematology of the Nigerian local turkey

No AbstractBulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa Vol. 55 (4) 2007: pp. 300-30

Rectal temperature and respiratory rates in two different Nigerian zebu breeds of cattle

No AbstractBulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa Vol. 56 (2) 2008: pp. 154-15