Effects of Fluid Resuscitation on Testicular Damage in Severely Burned Rats.

Background: Severe burns cause a wide range of complications that challenge care in the short term and often leaves long term sequelae in survivors. Research evidence suggests that burns can affect testosterone secretion, and impair spermatogenesis and fertility. This study was designed to investigate the effects of fluid resuscitation on spermatogenesis and histology of the testes after major burns. Methodology: Third degree burns was induced on dorsal skin of 3 groups of male Wistar rats. Intra-venous resuscitation fluid was administered, ½ h and 3 h post-burn in the first 2 groups. A fourth group had sham burn only and served as negative control. After 8 weeks the animals were sacrificed evaluated for sperm parameters, testicular histology and assays of oxidative status. Main Findings: Fluid administration did not cause significant difference in sperm parameters or in levels of markers of oxidative stress among the animals with burn injury. Mean sperm density in groups 1 and 2 which had fluid treatment were 57.00±11.99 and 56.33±9.49 respectively compared to 49.00±6.24 in the untreated group 3 (p=0.921 and 0.947). However total counts were significantly lower in all burned groups than in the sham burn group. Fluid treatment produced a time-dependent relief from the histological disruptions associated with the burns. Tubules with germ cell loss were fewer in the fluid treated groups than in the untreated one. Conclusion: Fluid treatment in burn patients may not protect them from suppression of testicular function. Fertility damage in severe burns may involve mechanisms that do not depend on intravascular volumes and pressures.

Testicular Biopsies of Azoospermic Men at The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the histological findings from testicular biopsies in azoospermic men seen at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital; Ikeja - Lagos; Nigeria. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study of testicular biopsies of azoospermic men who presented to our institution from 2005 to 2006 was performed. The patient's age; type of infertility and histopathological diagnosis were evaluted. All biopsies were preserved in 10formaldehyde solution. Results: Of the 51 azoospermic men (mean age 30 years; range 25 - 46 years) 25 (49.0) had primary infertility; 11 (21.6) had secondary infertility and 15 (29.0) were not specified. Five (9.8) patients had normal spermatogenesis. Abnormal histological parameters occurred in 46 (90.2) patients: testicular atrophy in 30 (58.8); maturation arrest in 14 (27.5) and hypospermatogenesis in 2 (3.9) patients. Conclusion: The presence of normal spermatogenesis in azoospermic men; which would suggest an obstructive lesion; is not common in our practice; in contrast to previous studies from our country. This may indicate a changing pattern in the aetiology of male infertility in our environment. Identification of the possible causes of testicular damage resulting in non-obstructive azoospermia in our environment may help to prevent male infertility

Limb deformities: the Lagos, Nigeria experience

Background: Individuals with various forms and degrees of limb deformities are common on the streets of Lagos; Nigeria. State-sponsored screening and surgical correction of the deformities were carried out in Lagos between June 2004 and May 2006. A report on the pattern of limb deformities is presented. Methods: This was a prospective study of all the patients that were seen and treated during the various screening programmes and operating sessions. Data was stored electronically and analysed using Microsoft Excel software. Results: A total number of 1;321 patients were screened; and 344 satisfied the inclusion criteria for enrolment. They were aged between 9 months and 64 years but only 20were aged 5-years and below. Females constituted 58.2and males 41.8. A total of 513 limbs were surgically corrected. The most frequent deformity and disease entity were bilateral genu varum (45.1) and Blounts disease (48.7); respectively. Proximal tibial wedge corrective osteotomy was the most frequent surgical procedure performed. Most beneficiaries presented late and were discharged within 48-hours of hospital admission. Conclusions: Improved public awareness about the availability of hospital based resources to solve the problem of limb deformity is advocated