Carnitine supplement: Does it worth trial to improve semen quality among infertile Sudanese men?

Carnitine supplement proves to upgrade the quality of semen by increasing sperm count and motility. In this study we have determined the level of L - carnitine in the seminal plasma of men with normal and abnormal seminal analysis. L - carnitine levels among the normal group was significantly higher than the abnormal group. We recommend trials of carnitine supplements to evaluate its usefulness in correcting some infertility cases. Subjects and methods: A total of 52 men; recruited from fertility centers in Khartoum ;were included in this study. Colorimetric carnitine determination kits were used for estimation of L - carnitine in seminal plasma. Results: Collectively; men with normal values of semen analysis had significantly higher mean seminal plasma carnitine levels compared to abnormal values (p = 0.028). Oligospermic men had significantly lower levels of carnitine compared to normal (p = 0.046). Conclusion: Seminal plasma carnitine level seems to correlate with seminal quality and its deficiency may be a reason for infertility among some Sudanese men

Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors among Adult Sudanese

Abstract Subjects and methods: In this study; the effect of obesity on the development of dyslipidemia; hypertension and glucose intolerance among Sudanese adults attending weight reduction programs was investigated. According to the BMI (Body mass index); 98 overweight/obese and 60 normal weight adults were included. Anthropometric measures were taken; lipid profile and C reactive protein (CRP) were determined using commercial kits. Results: Obesity related dyslipidemia seems to affect overweight/obese males more than females. On the other hand; overweight /obesity among females; not like males; was found to be associated with high blood pressure probably due inflammation; as determined by CRP level. Conclusion and recommendation: Obesity related dyslipidemia is more prominent among males while obesity related hypertension is a phenomenon among females probably due to release of CRP. We recommend a more detailed study of inflammatory cytokines; in relation to obesity; that may reflect the mass and/or activity of the adipose tissue

Iron overload and pregnancy outcome among Sudanese women

Dispensing iron tablets to pregnant women at antenatal clinics is a common practice in Sudan.Iron overload and; consequently; oxidative stress is a possible risk.Objective: In this study; we examined the iron status in pregnant women in correlation to pregnancy outcome.Subjects and methods: The study was conducted in Khartoum state; Sudan in the period December 2007 February 2009. Venous blood samples were obtained from 123 women at delivery.Undesirable pregnancy outcomes as preeclampsia; low birth weight; caesarean sections and preterm delivery; if any; were recorded. Serum iron and hematological parameters were determined.Results: Mothers were grouped; according to their serum iron levels; as low serum iron (LSI: 50 7g/dl; n170 7g/dl;n=11) groups. The incidence of preeclampsia was highest among the IOL group (72.7); followed by the LSI group (35.7) and lowest among the NSI (19.4) group; p=. The mean babies' birth weights were comparable among the IOL and the LSI groups but both were significantly lower than that among the NSI group.Conclusion: Iron supplementation to pregnant women must be rationalized so that women will benefit without developing undesirable effects