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Introduction: Recently there has been an increased association between environmental factors and male infertility. Aims: In the present study, the effect of changes in testicular biometric parameters (weight and volume) and testicular function (Sperm count, morphology, testosterone level) in Cadmium chloride administered Wistar rats was studied. Methodology: Twenty male albino Wistar rats were randomized into four groups (n=5). Group A (control) received rat chow and water, while Group B, C and D received 15mg/L, 20mg/L and 25mg/L of Cadmium chloride respectively for 6 weeks. Result: There was a significant (P=.05) and dose dependent decrease in testicular function parameters in the rats and a significant (P=.05) and positive correlation between the biometric parameters and testicular function. Conclusion: The findings showed that Cadmium chloride has a deleterious effect on testicular function and biometric parameters of the testes may be important in the assessment of testicular function.
RESUMO
Twenty pregnant WAD goat does were used to assess the effect of pregnancy induced physiological changes at different stages of pregnancy. Pulse Rate values ranges from 80.78±1.63 to 92.35± 1.47(BPM), showing significant (p<0.05) increases as gestation periods (months) increases. Significant differences (p<0.05) were also observed in respiratory rate during course of gestation and the values of 16.73± 0.43 to 18.95±0.59 were obtained. When rectal temperature was measured during pregnancy, the result shows that pregnancy caused significant (P<0.05) increased in rectal temperature and the value increased with the course of gestation too, with values ranging from 39.33±0.25 to 41.22±.0.53. Thus, it was concluded that pregnancy induces physiological changes in does, especially as the course of gestation increases in months.
RESUMO
Sodium-potassium ATPase activity and transmembrane calcium influx in the aortic smooth muscle from control and diabetic rats were assessed indirectly through the measurement of KCl relaxation and contractile responses to CaCl2 in attempts to explain the contractile responses to KCl following streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus. There were no significant changes in the maximum contractile responses of the aortas from 4 and 12 week diabetic rats to KCl even when significant increases in calcium influx were demonstratable. On the other hand, the diabetic aortas were significantly (P < 0.05) more sensitive to KCl-induced relaxations than the controls. This provides an indirect evidence for increased activity of the sodium-postassium ATPase enzyme in the aortas from streptozotocin diabetic rats. This may, atleast in part, explain the inability of KCl to produce greater than normal contractions of the aortas from diabetic rats.