Correlation study of stress biomarkers, endocrinopathies, semen quality and quantity in infertile men in Abuja, Nigeria

Background: The quality and quantity of sperm cells in the male determines his fertility potentials. It has been reported that 40-45% cases of infertility is attributable to men, and that stress compromises fertility indices. Therefore, the study was done to assess the correlation between some stress biomarkers, male endocrinopathies, sperm quality, and quantity in infertile men. Methods: This was a cross sectional case- control study. A total of 154 participants were recruited into the study, which consist of 100 males having the challenge of infertility as study group and 54 fertile male which serves as control group. Serum testosterone, LH, FSH, prolactin, salivary cortisol and amylase were analyzed using ELISA techniques; while the semen was examined after liquefaction according to WHO criteria. Results: In the study group, higher values of stress biomarkers correlated with significantly decreased testosterone and FSH values (p=0.001), and increased prolactin, salivary cortisol amylase (p<0,001); semen quality and quantity correlate with stress biomarkers (p<0.001). There are both positive and negative correlation between the stress biomarkers, sex hormones, sperm quality and quantity. Conclusions: Higher values of stress biomarkers in infertile male show both negative and positive correlation with abnormal sex hormones, decreased semen quality and quantity

Evaluation of hormonal profile and some stress biomarkers in infertile couples in Abuja, Nigeria

Background: Infertility is a growing gynaecological problem in couples of childbearing age having difficulties bearing children. Couples with infertility are known to present with high levels of stress and psychopathology A cross sectional case control study aimed at evaluating the hormonal profile, some stress biomarkers, sperm analysis in infertile couples was carried out to ascertain their contributions to infertility in couples of child bearing age.Methods: Serum Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Prolactin, Progesterone, Estrogen (E2), Testosterone, Salivary Cortisol and Salivary Alpha Amylase were evaluated using both competitive and non-competitive Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) techniques; while sperm cells analysis were evaluated using conventional methods, in 164 infertile couples (study) and 100 fertile couples (control) attending fertility clinic in General Hospitals in Abuja, Nigeria.Results: The mean serum Prolactin and Salivary (S) Cortisol in the female were significantly higher (p0.05) between the two groups. FSH, Progesterone and E2 in the female were significantly lower in the study group (p<0.05) compared with control group. Testosterone, FSH, Sperm cells count and Sperm activity (%) were significantly lower (p<0.05) in the male study group relative to the control group; while prolactin, S. cortisol and S. amylase were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the male study group relative to the control group. Conclusions: Abnormal hormones values and abnormal sperm quality and quantity are associated with elevated stress biomarkers in couples presenting with infertility. Strong positive correlations exist between hormones and stress biomarker in infertility conditions

Evaluation of flesh and serum concentrations of Al, Zn, Mn and Sb in African cat fish (Clarias gariepinus) reared in plastic ponds in Benin City, Nigeria

Fishing in both natural and artificial habitats is a major occupation in Nigeria. Fishing in plastic ponds is one of such artificial habitats. This study seeks to determine and compare the bioaccumulation of selected toxic and essential trace metals-Aluminum, Antimony, Manganese and Zinc in body, serum and water habitat of Clarias gariepinus obtained from five different plastic fish ponds in Benin metropolis, using fishes from Ikpoba River as control. Catfish were obtained from five different farms and the controls were from Ikpoba River. The concentrations of Aluminum, Antimony, Manganese and Zinc were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrophotometer. Results revealed that pond A Mn concentration (75.7 ± 1.2 mg/g),was lowest, and followed by pond B (96.8 ± 1.5). The level of Zn in body of pond A, B, C, D were all high (p&lt;0.001). High level of Antimony was observed in pond A, B, C and D ranging from (0.019 ± 0.001 to 0.020 ± 0.0005mg/g). Zinc level was high in pond A, C, D, E ranging from (118.8±3.4 to 124.8±1.0 mg/g. Sb is slightly high in pond B, C, D with a range of (0.018±0.001 to 0.021±0.001) but was low in pond A (0.002±0.000) when compared with control (0.003±0.000). The above results were all statistically significant at (p&lt;0.001).This study demonstrated an increase in the body and serum levels of toxic metals in Clarias gariepinus across the various ponds and the control river. The concentrations of aluminum, antimony, manganese and zinc in the body and serum of Clarias gariepinus were above the WHO recommended limit for fish and fish products. Hence, it is concluded that these metals have been bio-accumulated in the tissues and organs of these fish and may therefore pose an immediate threat on the health of consumers of fish and fish products from these various plastic ponds within Benin metropolis.Keywords: Toxic, Trace, Metals, Cat-fish, Plastic pond

Assessment of Serum Levels of Magnesium and Manganese among Pregnant Women at Central Hospital, Agbor, South-South Nigeria

Pregnant women in developing countries have been reported to consume diets with low density of minerals and essential trace elements. Therefore, this study aims to assess the serum levels of magnesium and manganese and its trimester correlates among pregnant women in Ika community of Delta state, Nigeria. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the serum levels of magnesium and manganese among 64 apparently healthy pregnant and age matched 25 healthy non-pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at obstetrics and gynaecology unit of central hospital Agbor. The mean serum levels of manganese increased with increase in gestational age while hypomagnesaemia 12.24ug/dl was observed in 60 (93.8%) of the pregnant women with a larger preponderance in the second trimester There was significant difference between the serum level of manganese in pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women (p&lt;0.001). There were no statistical significance between the serum levels of these trace elements and occupation, nature of dietary intake, age of participants and trimester of pregnancy. We observed an increase in the mean serum levels of manganese with trimester progression while a high prevalence rate (93.8%) of magnesium deficiency among pregnant women was noted in this study. Maximal awareness (advocacy) should therefore be given to pregnant women on the need for adequate dietary intake and supplementation to avoid the complications associated with deficiency of this nutrient.Keywords: Magnesium, Manganese, Pregnant, Women, Agbor, Nigeri

Variation in some Haematological Parameters in Newborns at Different Locations in Delta State, Nigeria

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Biometric Indices of Arachis hypogaea Plant Grown in Kutchalli Waste Pit Materials (Soils) in Borno State, Nigeria

Kutchalli drilling waste pit materials (WPM) in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, exploration site in Borno State of Nigeria was evaluated for systemic toxicity to inhabitants (man, animal and plants) via the food chain. In this experiment, biometric indices were analysed using standard methods. Results obtained showed that the control soil (group 1) had plant height of 27cm \ub10.2, leaf length 2.8cm \ub10.3, while those of the wpm soils of group 5 had plant height of 25cm \ub10.2, leaf length 2.3cm \ub10.1 and group 7 plant height of 19cm \ub10.3 and 1.6cm \ub10.2 with a significant difference at p&lt;0.5. Currently, WPM generated from crude oil drilling activities are not properly disposed off, therefore usually get washed away into various water bodies and arable farm lands through leaching. In view of these, fears have been expressed in connection with the utilization of these food products for consumption, which are believed to be of serious health risks to both plants and animals (man). Arachis hypogaea was used as a test plant to ascertain these fears

Toxic metal levels in Nigerian electronic waste workers indicate occupational metal toxicity associated with crude electronic waste management practices

The poor management of electronic wastes (e-waste) in Nigeria exposes workers to toxic chemicals in waste electrical and electronic equipment. In this study, we evaluated the toxic metal levels in Nigerians occupationally exposed to e-waste. Whole blood levels of Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), and Chromium (Cr) were determined in Nigerian e-waste workers (n=63) and in age-matched non-exposed participants (n=41), using standard electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry methods. The results showed statistically significant (p&lt;0.01) elevated body burden of toxic metals in e-waste workers (Pb, 0.95 ± 0.00 µmol/L; Cr, 405.99 ± 6.34 µmol/L; Cd, 108.54 ± 1.60 nmol/L; As, 10.09 ± 0.01 µmol/L; and Hg, 25.02 ± 0.14 nmol/L) compared with non-exposed group ((Pb, 0.03 ± 0.00 µmol/L; Cr, 178.44 ± 5.99 µmol/L; Cd, 56.99 ± 1.42 nmol/L; As, 1.02 ± 0.0008 µmol/L; and Hg, 1.62 ± 0.0672 nmol/L). These data indicate that the elevated body burden of toxic metals in the e-waste exposed  population is an indication of occupational metal toxicity associated with crude e-waste management practices in Nigeria. In addition, the potential health implications of exposure to these toxic metals, such as chronic kidney disease, cancer; preceded by genome instability and depressed immune response were highlighted.Keywords: Metal toxicity, e-waste, Nigeria, Occupational exposure

Toxic metal levels in Nigerian electronic waste workers indicate occupational metal toxicity associated with crude electronic waste management practices

The poor management of electronic wastes (e-waste) in Nigeria exposes workers to toxic chemicals in waste electrical and electronic equipment. In this study, we evaluated the toxic metal levels in Nigerians occupationally exposed to e-waste. Whole blood levels of Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), and Chromium (Cr) were determined in Nigerian e-waste workers (n=63) and in age-matched non-exposed participants (n=41), using standard electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry methods. The results showed statistically significant (p&lt;0.01) elevated body burden of toxic metals in e-waste workers (Pb, 0.95 \ub1 0.00 \ub5mol/L; Cr, 405.99 \ub1 6.34 \ub5mol/L; Cd, 108.54 \ub1 1.60 nmol/L; As, 10.09 \ub1 0.01 \ub5mol/L; and Hg, 25.02 \ub1 0.14 nmol/L) compared with non-exposed group ((Pb, 0.03 \ub1 0.00 \ub5mol/L; Cr, 178.44 \ub1 5.99 \ub5mol/L; Cd, 56.99 \ub1 1.42 nmol/L; As, 1.02 \ub1 0.0008 \ub5mol/L; and Hg, 1.62 \ub1 0.0672 nmol/L). These data indicate that the elevated body burden of toxic metals in the e-waste exposed population is an indication of occupational metal toxicity associated with crude e-waste management practices in Nigeria. In addition, the potential health implications of exposure to these toxic metals, such as chronic kidney disease, cancer; preceded by genome instability and depressed immune response were highlighted

Endocrine disrupting metals lead to alteration in the gonadal hormone levels in Nigerian e-waste workers

BACKGROUND Electronic waste (e-waste) is known to contain thousands of toxic chemicals and metals, many of which have identified endocrine disruption potentials even at low blood concentrations resulting from occupational and environmental exposures. E-waste crude reprocessing in Nigeria is massive and a growing number of Nigerians are occupationally exposed. The present study aimed to determine changes in gonadal hormone levels associated with occupational crude e-waste reprocessing in Nigerian male e-waste workers. METHODS This cross-sectional study which was carried out in Benin City, South-South Nigeria recruited male e-waste workers (n=63); and apparently healthy non e-waste workers (n=41), as exposed and unexposed participants respectively. Male fertility hormones which includes luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (TESTO) and prolactin (PROL); as well as progesterone (PROG), estrogen (EST) and inhibin (INH) were determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods; whole blood levels of chromium, cadmium, arsenic and mercury were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. RESULTS Levels of TESTO, PROG, LH and FSH; as well as PROL and EST were significantly lower in e-waste workers compared with unexposed participants (p<0.05). In contrast, serum INH was significantly higher in e-waste exposed population compared with the unexposed. In addition, chromium correlated significantly and negatively with testosterone, progesterone and estrogen, while inhibin correlated positively with chromium. Similar correlation patterns were observed for cadmium, arsenic and mercury. CONCLUSION Nigerian e-waste workers experienced reduced levels of key gonadal hormones and this may be associated with occupational exposure to endocrine disrupting metals in e-waste