Semen Analysis Of Infertile Igbo Males In Enugu, Eastern Nigeria

Summary: The semen samples of 1,110 (one thousand, one hundred and ten) Igbo males attending infertility clinic, aged between 30-50 years were collected and analyzed. The specimens were collected and analysed in the microbiology laboratory of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu, Eastern Nigeria. The standard method of masturbation after 3-5 days of prior abstinence from sex before sample collection was applied. The samples were examined for semen volume and microscopically as a wet preparation for sperm motility, morphology and count. The semen volume result showed that 91.0% were normal. 6.3% sperm samples were motile. In the sperm count, only 7.3% had normal cells, 62.0% showed abnormal morphology. The aetiology of male infertility in the population studied seems to be related to the sperm count, motility and morphology but not volume. Racial factor seems to play no role and it is important to abstain from sexual intercourse some days before collection of semen for analysis.Key Words: Infertility, Igbo Males, Eastern Nigeria, Semen Analysi

Xylopia Aethiopica lowers Plasma Lipid Precursors of Reproductive Hormones in Wister Rats

This study investigated the effects of dietary Xylopia aethiopica on reproductive hormones and plasma lipids in rats.10 male and 10 female Wistar rats weighing 200-220g and 120-150g respectively, and subdivided into two respective groups of 5 rats each (M1 and F1 as control; M2 and F2 as test), were used for this study. For 21 days,  the control rats received normal feed and clean water ad libitum, while test rats received 50g/kg of feed diet. Blood was collected from the rats and used to determine the reproductive hormone profile and plasma  lipids  concentration. Hormonal analyses were performed by the ELISA method, while lipid analyses were done using  enzymatic saponification for total cholesterol, and enzymatic hydrolysis by lipases for the triglyceride. Results  showed that there was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in plasma testosterone concentration (2.70±0.82ng/ml) of  the treated male rats. The plasma concentrations of estradiol (13.80±2.84pg/ml) and progesterone  (2.85±0.64ng/ml) in the treated females were also significantly reduced. Lipid analyses showed significant reduction in total plasma cholesterol in the treated male rats (1.20±0.63mmol/l) and female rats (1.75±0.55mmol/l). Our  results suggest that dietary Xylopia aethiopica can induce a reduction in plasma levels of steroid reproductive  hormones, possibly through reduction in plasma cholesterol.Keywords: Xylopia aethiopica, reproductive hormones, plasma lipids

The effects of menopause on the serum lipid profile of normal females of South East Nigeria

Dyslipidemia in menopause is a known feature in women, whether it leads to significant increase in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) is still controversial, more so in our environment where little work has been done. The present study is aimed at comparing the level of total serum cholesterol, including its subunits in premenopausal with that of their postmenopausal counterparts. This is to enable us ascertain the relative risk of developing cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women in our environment. One hundred and twenty six (126) apparently healthy, nonpregnant females (74 premenopausal and 52 postmenopausal) were recruited for the study. Serum total cholesterol and their subfractions- high-density lipoproteins (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and triglycerides (TG) were estimated using enzymatic and established mathematical methods. There was no significant difference in the total serum cholesterol and triglyceride between the two groups. There was however, a significant reduction of HDL and VLDL in the postmenopausal group (

Hair Whorl Patterns On The Posterior Apsect Of The Scalp Among Nigerians

The types and incidence of hair whorl patterns on the posterior aspect of the scalp amongst Nigerians was studied using a population sample with ages ranging between 15 and 40 years. The age range chosen was so because the scalp hair apparently deteriorates with aging as seen in senile alopecia. Five hundred subjects within and around Enugu metropolis, chosen randomly were studied. A photograph of the individual\'s scalp was taken from the rear (posterior) view. Observations for the location of the hair whorls were noted and studied. It was observed that Nigerians tend to have the centre of their hair whorl located mainly in the right superior-medial aspects of the scalp (44%) relative to the median plane and majority of the population (68.6%) had their hair whorls running in the clock-wise direction. We note that, hair whorls patterns of Nigerian deviate from the midpoint of the head with a mean value of 18.37° ± 0.77°. THis is not too acute within the sample, when compared with the minimum value 0°. Key words: Types, Incidence, distribution, patterns, hair whorl, scal

Cholesterol Profile of Adults Resident in Eastern Nigeria

Objective: The present study aims to determine a cholesterol profile for people living in this part of Eastern Nigeria. This will enable recommendation of a range of normal Cholesterol levels for the people living in this part of the world. Method: Total serum cholesterol, HDL, LDL, VLDL and triglycerides levels were determined in about 200 apparently healthy subjects – males and females. Both enzymatic and mathematical methods were used to achieve these results. Results: Mean total serum cholesterol level for male was 4.39 ± 0.21 (mmol/l) while value obtained for females was 4.5 ± 0.22. The difference observed was not statistically significant. The values obtained for cholesterol fractions include – HDL 2.07 ± .01 for males and that obtained for females was 1.28 ± .06. LDL levels were 2.75 ± 0.13 for males and 2.98 ± 0.14 for females. VLDL values showed 0.27 ± 0.02 for males and 0.25 ± 0.02 for females. Values obtained for triglycerides were 0.29 ± 0.09 for males and females 0.25 ± 0.01. The difference observed in the values for the male and female subjects were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Cholesterol values for males and females in this part of Eastern Nigeria are similar. The values, however, seem lower than those for Europeans and Americans. Key Words: Cholesterol Profile, Eastern Nigeria Orient Journal of Medicine Vol.15(3&4) 2003: 46-5

HDL-LDL Ratio: A Significant Predisposition to the Onset of Atherosclerosis

The significance of high-density lipoprotein/low density lipoprotein (HDL-LDL) ratio as a predisposing factor to the onset of atherogenesis has been studied. Standard enzymatic method using Cholesterol kit to extract cholesterol was used. HDL was analysed using standard HDL Kit and LDL concentration was derived by a standard mathematical formula. There is a significant difference between HDL and LDL concentration within the hypertensive group, whereas this is not the case with the normotensive group. HDL is responsible for reverse cholesterol transport from peripheral tissues and LDL does the opposite. It is thus clear why the overwhelming concentration of LDL in Hypertensive could be atherogenic. Key Words: Hypertension, atherosclerosis, cholesterol, lipoprotein Nig. J. Health and Biomed. Sciences Vol.2(2) 2003: 78-8

Antropometrics, awareness, prevalence and pattern of obesity in Nigerian type 2 diabetic patients

No Abstract. Journal of Experimental and Clinical Anatomy Vol. 4(2) 2005: 24-2

Typhoid fever epidemic in Eastern Nigeria. How true?

No Abstract

Body Composition of Nigerian Diabetics using Bioimpedance Analysis (BIA)

Bioimpedance Analysis (BIA) is an objective, safe, rapid and non-invasive method for assessing quantity of body fat. 136 diabetic patients registered at the diabetes clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital had their body composition measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. There were 76 males and 60 females. Mean age was 59.2 ± 21.6 for males and 52.57 ± 17.3 for females. Body mass index (BMI) ranged from 17.8–33.8 Kg/m2. Mean 23.05 ± 3.8 for females and 25.76 ± 4.4 for males. Mean waist circumference for males was 82.96 ± 25.3 cm and 91.15 ± 23.2 cm for females. The percentage body fat was 16.7 ± 9.1% for males and 25.8 ± 8.1% for females. Percentage body fat or total fat mass varied significantly between the male and female diabetic patients. The difference was statistically significant. This is noteworthy as there was no significant difference in body mass index in this same population of patients. It is concluded that the use of weight or even BMI for estimating obesity may not be accurate. KEYWORDS: Body composition, body fat, bioimpedance analysis, Type 2 diabetes. Nig. Jnl Health & Biomed. Sciences Vol.3(1) 2004: 37-3

Induced gastrointestinal tract (GIT) derangement following a long-term administration of a non-selective cyclooxygenase inhibitor – paracetamol in pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats

There are two recognized isoforms of cyclooxygenase enzymes, the cyclooxygenase – 1 and cyclooxyg-enase – 2, the former is involved in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins, in organs where these eicosanoids play certain protective roles in the gastrointesional tract (GIT) and the kidney, it also enhances mucus secretions and acts as a house keeping enzyme expressed constitutively in most tissues of the body, while cyclooxygenase – 2 is the inducible form expressed in response to proinflammatory cytokines and growth factors, indicating a role in inflammation and growth and also maintains haemodynamics. In pregnant state, several drugs are used out of necessity, despite their reported toxicity. The clinical conditions often necessitating the use of non–selective cyclooxygenase inhibitors during pregnancy include hypertension, thromboembolism, hyperthyroid-ism, epilepsy, diabetes mellitus, preterm labour, arthritis, pain and fever, among others. The aim of this study was to investigate the induced gastrointestinal derangement following a long-term administration of paracetamol in pregnant Sprague–dawley rats. Twenty female adult Sprague–dawley rats weighing between 160g – 180g (as the beginning of the experiment) were used for the study. The animals were randomly divided into two groups (A and B) of ten rats each. Group A animals received distilled water orally and served as control. While paracetamol treated animals (group B) received doses of 7.3mg/kg/day respectively by gavage. The animal weights were monitored at an interval of three days before gestation to 13th day after parturition. The animals were allowed feed and water liberally. Drug administration commenced from 10th day of gestation to the end of parturition. On the 13th day after parturition the maternal rats were then sacrified for tissue processing. The results showed that the control animals had a normal architecture of the gastrointestinal tract. While the paracetamol treated animals showed a general derangement coupled with high degree inflammation of the stomach and intestinal lining, and a statistical significant weight loss (