A comparative study of the hematological values in the ovulation and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle

This study compares the hematological values of the ovulation phase with the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Sixty subjects with 30 subjects each in the ovulation and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle were studied. Ethical clearance and informed consent were obtained for the study. Hematological parameters of blood samples collected using aseptic technique were analysed using the Swelab Alfa automatic hematology analyser. Granulocyte(x103/ìL) value for the ovulation and luteal phases were 1.48±0.15 and 2.53 ±0.36 respectively (p<0.05). The Granulocyte% for the ovulation and luteal phases were 33.34±2.46 and 45.81±2.93 respectively (p<0.05). The Lymphocyte % for ovulation and luteal phases were 58.89±1.66 and 47.58±2.76 respectively (p<0.05). The Mean platelet volume values for ovulation and luteal phases were 7.68±0.30 and 8.06±0.31 respectively (p<0.001). The plateletcrit for ovulation and luteal phases were 0.14±0.02 and 0.15±0.02 respectively (p<0.001). The Platelet Width Density for ovulation  and luteal phases were 11.53±0.49 and 12.13±0.48 respectively (p< 0.01). The Platelet Larger Cell Ratio for ovulation and luteal phases were 15.46±1.82 and 18.04±1.78 respectively (p< 0.01). Red cell parameters remained unchanged in both phases of the menstrual cycle. Platelet and granulocyte parameters are the  hematological changes observed in the ovulation phase when compared to the luteal phase.Keywords: Ovulation, luteal phase, menstrual cycle, hematological

Electrolytes concentration patterns in the three trimesters of pregnancy

The physiologic adaptations of the pregnant woman involve the renal, cardiovascular and other systems of the body. This study aimed at evaluating electrolyte concentrations in the three trimesters of pregnancy. Blood samples were collected by aseptic techniques and the concentrations of electrolytes were determined using standard laboratory methods such as titration for chloride and bicarbonate and flame photometry for sodium and potassium. Eighty healthy volunteers consisting of 20 non-pregnant control and 20 pregnant women in each of the three trimesters of pregnancy participated in the study. The sodium concentrations in mmol/L were 135.91 ± 3.00, 136.42 ± 3.11, 135.70 ± 2.90, and 136.30 ± 2.52, for control, first trimester, second trimester and third trimester subjects respectively. The potassium concentrations in mmol/L were 3.51 ± 0.18, 3.49 ± 0.11, 3.53 ± 0.20, and 3.50 ± 0.21, for control, first trimester, second trimester and third trimester subjects respectively. The chloride concentrations in mmol/L were 103.50± 3.21, 103.60± 2.92, 104.70 ± 3.10, and 105.0 ± 3.02, for control, first trimester, second trimester and third trimester subjects respectively. The Bicarbonate concentrations in mmol/L were 25.75 ± 1.51, 26.11 ± 1.17, 25.69 ± 1.72, and 26.10 ± 1.13, for control, first trimester, second trimester and third trimester subjects respectively. This study revealed that the electrolytes sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate remained unchanged (p>0.05) as pregnancy advanced. This suggests that the kidneys are well adapted to the handling of electrolytes during pregnancy.© 2015 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, chloride, kidne

Peak expiratory flow rate and Pulse Pressure values during the Luteal and Menstruation Phases of the Menstrual Cycle

This study assessed the peak expiratory flow rate and pulse pressure during the luteal and menstruation phases of the menstrual cycle. The peak expiratory flow rate and pulse pressure were measured using the Wright’s Peak Flow Meter and Mercury Sphygmomanometer respectively. The peak expiratory flow rate and pulse pressure in the luteal phase were 420.80±12.27 and 42.72±2.52 respectively. While the peak expiratory flow rate and pulse pressure in the menstruation phase were 378.40±11.85 and 35.36±1.95 respectively. The peak expiratory flow rate and the pulse pressure in the luteal phase were significantly higher (p<0.05) than the values during menstruation. The finding may be as a result of the relative increase in progesterone and estrogen levels in the luteal phase. The study thus shows an improved respiratory function and vasodilation during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Keywords: Menstruation, Luteal, Menstrual cycle ,Pulse Presuure, PEF

Assessment of platelet profile of healthy volunteers in the trimesters of pregnancy in Benin City, Nigeria

These studies aimed at assessing platelet profile in the three trimesters of  pregnancy.Subjects were apparently healthy volunteers who were staff, students and antenatal patients of a Hospital in Benin. Platelet profile was assessed using Swelab Alfa Basic model Haematological Analyser (Boule Medical AB, Stockholm, Sweden). The results were presented as mean ± SEM in tables and graphs and analysed using One Way Analysis of Variance and Duncan post Hoc test and p < 0.05 was  considered significant. The study showed that platelet count x 103/μl (277.83 ± 36.33; first trimester > 193.60 ± 13.15; second trimester > 185.50 ± 11.58; third trimester) and plateletcrit in percentage (0.22 ± 0.03; first trimester > 0.17 ± 0.01; second trimester > 0.16 ± 0.01; third trimester) reduced progressively as pregnancy advanced and this was statistically significant (p < 0.05) when compared to control of 276.17 ± 34.32 x103/μl and 0.20 ± 0.20 respectively. A similar pattern was observed for Mean Platelet Volume (MPV). However, Platelet Width Density (PDW) in percentage increased (10.52 ± 0.22; first trimester < 13.44 ± 0.30; second trimester < 13.65 ± 0.41; third trimester) as pregnancy advanced. Thus PDW compensates for these reductions and a lack of this compensatory increase may aggravate the effect of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy.Platelet Count, Plateletcrit, Mean Platelet Volume, Platelet Distribution Width, Trimesters, Pregnanc

Effect of acute hyperglycemia on clotting time and relative plasma viscosity (RPV) during menstruation

Menstruating females seem to bleed more when they ingest sugar or sugar containing substances. This study was carried out to determine the effect of acute hyperglycemia on clotting time and relative plasma viscosity during menstruation. Forty menstruating females from the St. Philomena School of Midwifery, Benin, Nigeria volunteered for the study. following ethical approval from St. Philomena Catholic Hospital, blood samples were collected from the ante cubital vein; pre-ingestion, one hour and two hours post ingestion of glucose concentrations (39 g/200ml, 78 g/200ml). Fasting blood samples and post glucose ingestion blood samples were analyzed for Sugar, Clotting time and Relative Plasma Viscosity (RPV) using Standard laboratory methods. Results were analyzed with paired t-test and values of p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. The result showed a statistically significant increase (p<0.05) in clotting time and a decrease in relative plasma viscosity (p<0.05) one hour after the intake of both glucose concentrations. Two hours after glucose intake, there was a decrease in clotting time towards the baseline and an increase in RPV towards the baseline. This study thus suggests that acute hyperglycemia increases clotting time and reduced RPV in menstruating girls. This may be the reason for the perceived sense of increased menstrual flow.© 2015 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Clotting time, Relative Plasma Viscosity (RPV), menstruation, blood suga

The Respiratory System Has a Resourceful Defense Organization; A Review

The respiratory system is essentially made up of a channel which starts from the nostrils and ends in the alveoli. Although it is primarily adapted for gaseous exchange, it has a resourceful defense organization which traverses the nose to the alveoli. Defense structures include fine hairs, mucous membrane in the nostrils, ciliated epithelium in the tracheobronchial tree and immune cells in all parts of the respiratory tract to the alveoli. Thus in studying the anatomy and physiology of respiratory system ,the non-respiratory function of defense should attract adequate attention as partial or whole dysfunction of the respiratory tract not only has a potential capacity of compromising gaseous exchange but also attenuating the functional defense structures of the respiratory system. This review is thus aimed at bringing to lime light the defense functions of the respiratory system being one of the gateways to the entire body system. The review shows that the respiratory system is very versatile in its defense functions and this should be kept in view by Respiratory Physicians when managing respiratory conditions as this will ultimately brighten the overall outcome.Keywords: Respiratory system, Gaseous exchange, Defense functio

Evaluation of Serum Anion gap in the three trimesters of pregnancy in a Christian Religious Hospital in Benin City, Nigeria

This study is aimed at determining anion gap in the three trimesters of pregnancy. The study involved a total of 80 volunteers from the St. Philomena Catholic hospital, Benin City. The volunteers comprised 20 nonpregnant control, and 20 pregnant women in each of the three trimesters of pregnancy. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics and Collaboration committee of the hospital. Informed consents were also obtained from the participants. With strict aseptic method blood samples were drawn from the ante cubital vein into a lithium heparin bottle for electrolyte analysis using standard laboratory methods. Anion gap was subsequently calculated using the formula; ([Na+] + [K+]) − ([Cl-] + [HCO3−]). Results were compared using the student’s t-test and p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The anion gap for the first trimester of pregnancy (11.01 ± 0.13 mmol/L) was significantly lower (p<0.05) than that of the control group (14.90 ± 0.43 mmol/L). The anion gaps for the second (14.78 ± 0.07 mmol/L) and third trimesters of pregnancy (14.90 ± 0.11 mmol/L) were essentially the same as that of the control subjects. The results may have been due to the variation in the gastrointestinal symptoms associated with the first trimester of pregnancy. However, the study indicates that pregnant women in their first trimester are more prone to abnormal serum anion gap which is a function of blood electrolyte concentration. This finding should be reflected by antenatal care givers and antenatal care policy makers to forestall untoward effect of abnormal serum anion gap.Keywords: Anion Gap, Electrolyte, Trimester, Pregnanc

Effect of Cola nitida on immediate post moderate-exercise cardiopulmonary response in young adult male

The study aimed at evaluating post-exercise cardiopulmonary responses in young adult males who masticated and ingested Cola nitida prior to moderate exercise. The cardiopulmonary responses studied were heart rate, pulse pressure and respiratory rate. A total of 20 apparently healthy male volunteers were studied. They were subdivided into 4 subgroups A, B, C and D. The subjects in Group A served as control and were not given Cola nitida, while the subjects in groups B, C and D were given 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg of Cola nitida respectively. Prior to the exercise baseline cardiopulmonary parameter were recorded using standard clinical methods. The subjects subsequently chewed and ingested appropriate doses of Cola nitida. Ninety minutes post ingestion; they warmed up for 5 minutes and then mounted the threadmill at an inclination of 2% at 5mph for 30 minutes. Thereafter the immediate cardiopulmonary responses such as pulse rate, pulse pressure and respiratory rate were recorded one minute post exercise. Results were presented as Mean ± SD and analyzed using appropriate ANOVA with post hoc Tukey HSD test and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Overall, Cola nitida potentiated (p < 0.05) the percentage increase in cardiopulmonary responses observed in this study. However, irrespective of the dose of Cola nitida ingested the percentage increase in pulse rates were not different (p > 0.05) amongst test groups. Cola nitida increases the post-moderate-exercise pulse rate, pulse pressure and respiratory rate in young male adults.Keywords: exercise, cola nitida, cardiopulmonary, young mal

Comparative Study on Pre and Post Caeserean Section Haematological Parameters

Haematological parameters have been noted as important indicators of health and hence, knowledge about its physiological and pathological is important. It is presumed that stress during caesarean section (CS) can have effect on some haematological parameters. This study therefore, is intended to investigate the effect of CS on some important haematological parameters in women booked for elective caesarean section. 10 women between the ages of 25 and 35, booked for this procedure, were involved in this study. Pre-and-Post CS blood samples were collected and analyzed using Haematology Analyzer (Swelab Alfa Automated) at St. Philomena Medical Hospital. The valves were then keyed into statistical package (SPSS version 17) for statistical analysis. Results showed significant differences (p<0.05) in the red cell count and some related RBC indices (hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration), platelet count and granulocyte values of the pre-and-post CS blood samples. Based on the findings of this study, it is obvious that stress during CS may cause some alterations in haematological profile of the CS mother. These differences in haematological parameters between pre and post CS may be due to the inflammatory processes and hemorrhage associated with the surgery.Keywords: Caeserean section; Stress; Surgery; Haematological parameters

Effect of ‘Induced Labour’ on Hemorheological Parameters

Augmentation of labour involving the use of exogenous oxytocin to improve uterine contraction is a common obstetric practice. Although this exogenous oxytocin is known for its effect on the uterus, little is known about its effect on other organs/physiological parameters. Hence, this study investigates the effect of oxytocin augmentation on hemorheological parameters. Ten pregnant control and 10 parturients on oxytocin augmented labour were involved in this study. Following standard laboratory procedures, blood samples were collected from the pregnant women and the samples were analysed using Swelab Alfa Automated Haematology Analyzer at St. Philomena Hospital. The data was then analysed using SPSS (version 17) and the ‘student t-test’ was performed. Results showed no significant difference (p>0.05) in the relative plasma viscosity, fibrinogen concentration, red cell count and related RBC indices between the control and the parturients. This observation may be due to the concomitant hydration provided by the oxytocin infusion. Therefore, the use of an adequate rehydration medium for augmentation of labour should be emphasized for all parturients.Keywords: Augmented labour; Oxytoxin; Hemorheological parameter; Pregnant