Evaluation of andrological indices and testicular histology following administration of varied doses of nicotine

This study is aimed at determining the effect of Nicotine on male fertility by evaluating some andrological parameters of male Wistar rat such as sperm parameters (spermatozoa count and motility), serum concentration of testosterone and testicular weight. Histopathology of the testis was also carried out on the effect of nicotine on testicular microstructure. 20 adult male rats were randomly divided into four groups, the test groups were administered with 0.2mg/100g, 0.4/100g and 0.6/100g body weight daily for 30 days while the control were administered with 2mls 0.9% physiological saline. Nicotine caused a significant reduction (P < 0.05) and (P< 0.01) in the mean values of sperm count, serum testosterone concentration and testicular weight in the test when compared with the control. Also, in the test group, the deleterious effect of nicotine on the sperm parameters and testosterone concentration was corroborated by histopathology which revealed a marked degeneration of germ cell layers in the seminiferous tubule and disruption of interstitial cells of the testis thereby interfering with spermatogenesis and testosterone secretion while there was no visible change in the control group. It was concluded that nicotine exerted toxic effect on the germ cell layers in seminiferous tubule with concomitant reduction in reproductive potentials of the male rat whilst showing no significant change in sperm motility. Nicotine and nicotine based products should therefore be taken with caution in cases of infertility. Key words: germ cells, testes, testosterone, fertility, spermatogenesis

Evaluation of Mineral and Amino Acid Composition of Leaves of Ocimum Gratissimum (L.)

The study was conducted to determine the mineral and amino acid composition of the leave of Ocimum gratissimum. The mineral composition showed major minerals such as Na, K, Ca and Mg should essential and non-essential amino acids. The amino acids compared favorably with FAO reference protein. The leave were also found to be rich in essential amino acids especially lysine and leucine. Amino acid composition of Ocimum gratissimum both essential and non-essential acids. The level of essential of amino acids are adequate when compared with the reference values, therefore this result provide scientific basis for the consumption of O. gratissimumleave in Nigeria.. Keywords: Mineral, amino acids, Ocimum gratissimum, composition Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Science Vol. 6 (1) 2007: pp. 15-1

Glucose -6- Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Activity And Deficiency In A Population Of Nigerian Males Resident In Jos

The activity of red blood cell Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) in one hundred and twenty six healthy male individuals who are Nigerians residing in Jos was evaluated. The enzyme activity was determined quantitatively by spectrophotometer assay method. The activity of red cell G6PD enzyme was subnormal in 20% of the population studied. This agrees with previous report of the prevalence of G6PD deficiency in Nigerian males from the Western region of the country which is between 20 and 26%. The proportion of Nigerian males with subnormal G6PD activity is relatively constant irrespective of their geographical location

Seroprevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection in Pregnant Women in Amassoma, Nigeria

This study was conducted to establish the prevalence rate of HIV amongst pregnant women and to determine the risk to which their neonates are exposed in our centre. Anonymous and unlinked blood samples of 277 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic between the period of January 2005 - December 2006 at the Amassoma General Hospital in Southern Ijaw local government area of the Niger Delta region of Bayelsa State; Nigeria were tested for HIV - 1. The women had a mean age of 26.0 + 0.38 (range 15 - 44 years). The prevalence of HIV–1 in the pregnant women was 3.96%

Distribution Of Abo, Rhesus Blood Groups And Haemoglobin Electrophoresis Among The Undergraduate Students Of Niger Delta University Nigeria

The distribution of ABO, Rhesus blood groups and haemoglobin electrophoresis among 200 undergraduate students of Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria randomly selected were studied. Blood samples were collected by venepuncture from the antecubital vein. The blood sample were transferred into EDTA bottle and mixed. The determination of the ABO, Rhesus (RhD) blood groups and haemoglobin electrophoresis was done. The results showed that blood group O had the highest percentage distribution of 49% followed by blood groups A and B with 22% respectively and the least percentage distribution was blood group AB which is 7%. Rh-D positive rate was 98% and that of Rh-D negative was found to be 2%. The percentage distribution for the haemoglobin electrophoresis pattern for HbAA, HbAS, HbSS, HbAC and HbSC were 66%, 26%, 2%, 2%, and 4% respectively. HbAA and HbAS occurred more frequently than other haemoglobin variants in this study

Epidemiology of anaemia necesitating bone marrow aspiration cytology in Jos

Objective: The study aims at investigating, identifying and classifying the various causes of anaemia necessitating bone marrow aspiration cytology in our enviromnent. Methodology:A retrospective review of all bone marrow aspiration cytology reports of patients referred to Haematology and Blood Transfusion department of the Jos University Teaching Hospital between January 1st 2005 and December 31st 2008 on account of anaemia was carried out. Results: The commonest cause of anaemia was acute leukaem is (n=45: 24.3%); followed by combined megaloblastic and iron deficiency anaemia (nutritional deficiency anaemia) (n=34: 18.4%); and bone marrow failure (Aplastic anaemia) (n=20: 10.8%). Bone marrow aspiration cytology alone failed to identify causes of anaemia in a few patients (n=6: 3.2%). Conclusion: The study provides a valuable insight into the causes of anaemia in our environment. In contrast to the general opinion that iron deficiency is the commonest cause of anaemia, acute leukaemia was found to be the commonest cause of anaemia in this environment followed by deficiency of nutritional factors and bone marrow failure. Lack of laboratory facilities has hindered further investigation of causes of anaemia in this environment. More emphasis should be placed on identifying and managing the specific cause of anaemia rather than the current broad based approach to management. Public enlightenment on the need for early presentation to hospital and thorough investigations is necessary as early diagnosis affects positively the overall outcome of haematological diseases

Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effects of Aqueous Extract of Aloe Vera ( Aloe barbadensis ) in Rats

The anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of aqueous extract of Aloe barbadensis was investigated in rats. Formalin- induced hind paw oedema was used to assess the anti- inflammatory activity of the extract while acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing was used for analgesic activity. The results of the anti-inflammatory study revealed that 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg of the extract reduced the formalin-induced oedema significantly (P <0.05) at the beginning of 3 hours when compared to the control group. In the analgesic study, 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg of extract significantly (P <0.5) reduced the number of writhes induced by a 0.6% Acetic acid solution with an approximately 66.49%, 57.59% and 68.06% inhibition respectively. The present study showed that the aqueous extract of Aloe barbadensis has anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities that could be mediated via modulators of pain and inflammation or through central activity

SAFETY AND HYPOGLYCAEMIC PROPERTIES OF AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT OF OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM IN STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS.

The claim by Nigerian traditional herbal medicine practitioners that Ocimum gratissimum leaves have antidiabetic properties was investigated. Diabetes mellitus was induced with streptozotocin and graded doses of the aqueous leaf extract were administered orally to the experimentally diabetic rats for 28 days. Administration of the aqueous leaf extract caused a statistically significant reduction in plasma glucose level in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The extract appeared nontoxic as evidenced by normal serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, TPT, ALB and bilirubin. These data appear to agree with claimed hypoglycaemic effects of Ocimum gratissimum