The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection among infertile males and its association with abnormal semen characteristics in Delta State, Nigeria.

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common cause of sexually transmitted diseases that is not of viral origin and there is accumulating evidence of a significant role played by this pathogen in causing male factor infertility. This study thus aimed to determine the prevalence of C. trachomatis among infertile males and to evaluate their association with fertility status and abnormal semen characteristics. This study included 215 infertile male subjects who visited a major fertility clinic in Warri, Delta state, Nigeria. Forty apparently healthy males without complaints of infertility were enrolled as controls. Blood samples were collected from patients aseptically using venous puncture and semen samples were obtained after masturbation. C. trachomatis IgG antibodies were assayed for in blood specimens using the Dot rapid Assay Kit flow through Ct cassette and positive samples were further screened with an enzyme immunoassay technique. Semen samples were analyzed following World Health Organization guidelines. Forty-two (19.5%) out of 215 infertile male subjects were found sero-positive for C. trachomatis. C. trachomatis was significantly associated with male infertility when compared to controls (P<0.001). Age groups 20-29 years (43.3%) and 30-39 years (22.1%) significantly had higher prevalence of C. trachomatis (P<0.001), as compared to age groups 40-49 (7.9%) and > 50 years (3.7%). Sero-positivity for C. trachomatis antibodies was significantly associated with oligozoospermia (22.5%) and azospermia (61.5%) than with teratozoospermia (7.3%) and asthenozoospermia (6.3%) (P<0.001). The prevalence of C. trachomatis among infertile males was high; there was an association between C. trachomatis infection and poor semen characteristics and infertility. There is need for routine screening for the pathogen in males with complaints of infertility so as to rule out this potentially correctable/reversible cause of infertility.

Total antioxidant status of zinc, manganese, copper and selenium levels in rats exposed to premium motor spirit fumes.

BACKGROUND: Frequent exposure to premium motor spirit (PMS) is common and could be a risk factor for liver dysfunction in those occupationally exposed. A possible association between PMS fumes and plasma total antioxidant status as well as plasma levels of zinc, manganese, copper and selenium using a rodent model could provide new insights into the pathology of the liver where cellular dysfunction is an established risk factor. AIM: This study aimed to determine the total antioxidant status and plasma levels of zinc, copper, selenium and manganese in those occupationally exposed using rodent model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 25 albino Wistar rats of both sexes were used for this study. The animals were divided into five groups of five rats in each group. Group 1 rats were not exposed to PMS fumes (control group), group 2 rats were exposed for 1 hour daily, group 3 for 3 hours daily, group 4 for 5 hours daily and group 5 for 7 hours daily. The experiment lasted for a period of 4 weeks. Blood samples obtained from all the groups after 4 weeks of exposure were used for the determination of plasma total antioxidant status as well as plasma levels of zinc, manganese, copper and selenium. RESULTS: Results showed significant increases in means of plasma copper (69.70±0.99 for test and 69.20±1.02 for control, P < 0.05) and selenium (72.70±1.58 for test and 68.20±0.86 for control, P < 0.05) in the exposed rats when respective mean values were compared with those of corresponding controls. Mean body weight index (BWI) and percentage weight increase (PWI) were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in exposed rats when compared with the unexposed group. The mean plasma levels of zinc (137.40±4.06 for test and 147.80±2.52 for control) and manganese (65.75±1.02 for test and 70.00±0.71 for control) showed significant decrease (P < 0.05) when compared with control. Plasma level of total antioxidant status (TAS) did not differ significantly in exposed rats when compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: This study showed that frequent exposure to PMS fumes may lead to increase plasma levels of copper and selenium probably due to liver dysfunction and decrease in plasma levels of zinc and manganese probably as a result of interference in their metabolic pathway of the exposed groups.