Diet affects reflux in a rural African community.

Reflux in this region of South Africa is known to be more frequent and less acidic than in other countries. We investigated the relationship between reflux and diet. We recruited 57 healthy participants. We carried out ambulant oesophageal pH-impedance monitoring for 24 hours. We used software and visual review to analyse data and to identify episodes of reflux and rapid alkaline rises in the stomach. A usual pattern diet questionnaire provided data on frequency of consumption of common foods. Associations between reflux, gastric pH and dietary components were sought using analysis of variance, and regression analyses. Diet was strongly based on maize. Protein was principally from milk, eggs, chicken and beans. Fat was principally from cooking oil. Fruit and vegetables were consumed moderately frequently. Milk consumption was associated with an increase in total reflux (P = .022), weakly acid reflux (P = 0.015) and supine reflux (P = 0.001), and a decrease in the time that gastric pH was higher than 4 (P = 0.030). Fat was associated with an increase in acid reflux (P = 0.046) and a decrease in time that gastric pH was higher than 4 (P = 0.005). Fruit consumption was associated with increases in liquid-only refluxes(P = 0.007), and upright refluxes (P = 0.048). Maize meal was associated with a reduction in rapid alkaline rises in the gastric lumen (P = 0.015). Diet significantly affects reflux in this community. What is normal in apparently healthy people in various parts of the world differs significantly.

Normal values of 24-hour ambulatory esophageal impedance-pH monitoring in a rural South African cohort of healthy participants.

There are no data on 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH monitoring in African populations. The purpose of this study was to provide the normal values of esophageal impedance and pH monitoring in a rural African populations. South African healthy rural participants were recruited and underwent 24 hours of esophageal impedance and pH monitoring. The median and the 95th percentiles of the total reflux episodes were 49 and 97, respectively, of which the corresponding number of acidic, weakly acidic, and weakly alkaline reflux were 15 and 55, 17 and 51, and 8 and 36, respectively. The compositions of the total reflux were 5 and 21 for liquid, 27 and 72 for mixed, and 10 and 39 for gas reflux, respectively. The median bolus clearance was 18 seconds and the median bolus exposure was 14 minutes/24 hours. The proximal extent was 6%. The 95th percent time of esophageal exposure to acid was 8.6 in 24 hours. Female and overweight participants were associated with an increased number of reflux events. There were more reflux episodes, and of which, more were weakly alkaline compared with previous similar studies. The findings provide reference values of gastroesophageal reflux for a South African rural population.

STD/HIV association: effects on semen characteristics.

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 83 fertile/infertile men to investigate the association between STDs and HIV and their effects on semen characteristics and seminal leucocytes. HIV antibodies in semen, andrological parameters and seminal leucocytes were analyzed. Of the 83 subjects, 36 were HIV+ and 47 were HIV- . Only 9 out of 36 HIV+ men and 25 out of 47 HIV- men had no history of STD. The most common type of STD was gonorrhea (65%) and 60% of those who had gonorrhea were HIV+ . HIV+ men had low sperm motility (p < 0.02). HIV+ men with a history of STD had leucocytospermia compared to HIV- men irrespective of history of STD (p < 0.001). Leucocytospermia was prevalent in HIV+ men even with no history of STD (p < 0.05). Non-ulcerative STDs was a risk factor for HIV infection. There was a significant association between HIV- and no history of STD. Impaired sperm motility in HIV+ men may be mediated by activated seminal leucocytes, which could induce oxidative stress on sperm. Leucocytospermia may be a reliable indicator of HIV+ .

Sperm characteristics and accessory sex gland functions in HIV-infected men.

A comparative study was carried out in the andrology clinic, Parirenyatwa Hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe, to investigate the sperm characteristics and accessory sex gland functions in HIV-infected individuals. Sixty-two patients with infertility problems who attended the clinic were requested to donate semen and blood after consent was obtained. HIV antibodies in paired semen and blood samples, sperm morphology, sperm count, sperm motility, seminal leucocytes, seminal fructose, seminal neutral alpha-glucosidase, and citric acid were analyzed. Nine out of 31 blood samples tested positive, while 21 out of 62 semen samples were positive for HIV. Leucocytospermia was associated with HIV-seropositive men (p < .01). The accessory sex gland function, as evaluated by biochemical markers, was not affected in HIV-seropositive men. HIV causes impairment of sperm motility by activating seminal leucocytes, which in turn induce oxidative stress on the sperm. Leucocytospermia is almost always present in HIV-seropositive men.

Study on the origin of seminal leucocytes using split ejaculate technique and the effect of leucocytospermia on sperm characteristics.

The origin of seminal leucocytes and their biological significance were investigated in 76 whole ejaculate samples and 27 split ejaculate samples, obtained from patients attending the Zimbabwe Family Planning Council's Spilhaus Infertility Clinic at Harare. The leucocytes were more prevalent in fractions 1 and 2 than in fraction 3, implying that the testis, epididymis and prostate are the major sources of seminal leucocytes. The contribution from the seminal vesicles was minimal. An inverse relation is apparent between leucocyte count and sperm count (p < 0.01). The percentage of abnormal sperms was higher (p < 0.05) and the sperm motility poorer in leucocytospermic samples (p < 0.01). Fructose, the seminal vesicular marker, citric acid, the prostatic marker and alpha-glucosidase, the epididymal marker were not decreased in leucocytospermia. It is concluded that the epididymis and prostate are the major contributors of granulocytes in semen. Leucocytospermia affects sperm morphology and sperm motility but not the accessory sex gland functions. Probably these cytotoxic effects are mediated by hydrogen peroxide due to activation of seminal leucocytes. However, the presence of leucocytospermia in normozoospermic samples is indicative of the possible peaceful coexistence of leucocytes and sperms.

Differential response of legumes and creep feeding on gut morphology and faecal composition in weanling pigs.

The effects of creep feeding and different levels of soybean meal (SBM) and cowpea meal on the intestinal morphology and faecal characteristics were investigated in weaners. Prior to the feeding trial, one group of piglets was creep-fed and the other noncreep-fed. The two groups of piglets were weaned at 28 days and randomly assigned to four different diets, the main protein sources of which were: T1--skimmed milk power (control); T2--31% soybean meal (high SBM), T3--15% soybean meal and 12% skimmed milk powder (low SBM), and T4--100% raw cowpea meal. Live weight gain was highest in the control group, and least in cowpea-fed piglets. At weaning, only the noncreep-fed weaners showed villus atrophy and crypt hyperplasia but at 7 days postweaning, these changes were evident in all groups except the control and were more severe in the noncreep SBM and cowpea-fed groups. At 21 days postweaning, only noncreep cowpea-fed pigs showed a reduced villus height when compared to the control group. A mild diarrhoea was generally observed in all noncreep-fed weaners, but its onset was more rapid (P < 0.01) and the duration much longer (P < 0.05) in the high SBM and cowpea-fed pigs than in low SBM and control groups. A lower faecal pH was observed in weaners that had diarrhoea when compared with a pH of 7.1 in pigs with normal faecal moisture. The observations of enteropathology and low growth performance in the cowpea group suggest that feeding raw cowpea to weaners may induce antigenicity in the intestinal mucosa, causing damage and a consequent decrease in productivity. However, the introduction of creep feeding before weaning appears to have some ameliorative effects.

Effect of castration on serum concentrations of gonadal hormones, insulin-like growth factor-I and its binding proteins in male pigs.

Ten male pigs (Large White x Landrace), 7 months old, were randomly allocated to two experimental groups. Five of them were castrated and the other five served as controls. Sera were collected on the day of castration and 1, 5, 6 and 7 weeks after castration for hormone assay. There was a significant rise in the splenic and pancreatic weights in the castrates (P < 0.01). The weights of prostate, seminal vesicles and bulbourethral glands were significantly decreased (P < 0.01) in the castrates, which is attributed to a fall in testosterone levels (P < 0.001). The fall in oestradiol concentrations (P < 0.001) in castrates confirms that the testis is the major source of oestrogens in males. Although there was no significant change in the body weight, serum IGF-I levels were elevated in the castrates as compared to the controls after 5, 6 and 7 weeks (P < 0.001). IGFBP bands of 43 and 39 kda predominate in both control and experimental groups indicating that castration had no effect on the IGFBP pattern. It is suggested that the increase in IGF-I levels may be due to uncoupling of GH/IGF-I axis induced by the decrease in steroid concentrations due to castration.

Ultrastructural changes in rat epididymides induced by cowpeas.

The ultrastructure of tubular inclusions of caput and cauda epididymides were studied in rats that were fed only cowpeas from weaning (20-22 days old) to 130 days. The results showed significant (p < .001) fall in body weight and testicular, caput, and cauda epididymal weights in the cowpea-fed animals. Although the walls of the epididymides remained intact, the lumina of both segments showed cellular inclusions of various types amid sperm clumps. Unlike controls, where sperm flagella and headpieces were free-floating in lumina of both segments of epididymides, the experimental tubules showed cytoplasmic droplets containing trapped flagella at various stages of disintegration. Other inclusions included multilobular giant cells, lymphocytes, and membrane-bound amorphous bodies. It is proposed that these changes might be due to an altered immune response induced by lectins, one of the antinutritional factors found in cowpeas, which causes epididymal dysfunction and possibly renders these animals infertile.

Electron microscopic observations on the luminal contents of rat epididymis induced by cowpeas.

The ultrastructure of tubular inclusions of caput epididymis were studied in rats after feeding them with cowpeas alone, from weaning (20-22 days old) to 250 days. The results showed cellular inclusions of various types in the caput of experimental rats amid sperm clumps, and epithelial damage. The experimental tubules showed cytoplasmic droplets and trapped flagella at various stages of disintegration. Other inclusions included concentric membranous bodies, macrophages, coalesced disintegrated spermatids, and membrane-bound amorphous bodies. It is proposed that these changes might be due to an altered immune response induced by lectins, one of the anti-nutritional factors found in cowpeas, which causes epididymal dysfunction and possibly renders these animals infertile.

Antifertility effects of cowpeas on male rats.

Cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) were fed to rats from weaning to 250 days. At the end of feeding trial and mating trials, histological studies were done on testicular and epididymal tissues. Out of the 10 rats from the cowpea fed group, only six had fertile matings. The average litter size for control rats was 13.7 +/- 1.0, while for the cowpea fed group it was 8.2 +/- 7.0. Histological studies showed severe degenerative changes in the testis and the presence of multinucleated giant cells (MGCs) in the epididymis of the cowpea fed group, that did not have fertile matings. It is proposed that cowpeas may contain some factors that could have antifertility effects, although the nature of such factors was not the object of this study.

Diet-induced changes in the male reproductive system of rats.

Either quantitative or qualitative modification of diet interferes markedly with the reproductive functions of the rat. The effect of chick mash or cowpeas (Vigna unquiculata) on body growth, accessory sex organ weights, serum testosterone, and epididymal histology was studied. Body growth was markedly decreased in cowpeas fed group. Binucleated, multinucleated giant cells (MGCs), and lymphocytes were found in large numbers in the lumen of caput and cauda epididymis of the cowpea-fed group. No noticeable effect was seen in chick mash-fed group. Serum testosterone levels were significantly decreased in cowpea-fed group. Presence of MGCs in cowpea-fed animals indicates epididymal dysfunction and probably renders them infertile.

Estrogen and accessory sex gland lipids.

Administration of estradiol-17 beta elicited differential responses on accessory sex glands of rats. In caput epididymis, the estrogen treatment led to an accumulation of glycerides and phospholipids while in cauda epididymis, there was no significant change. However, in seminal vesicles, depletion of phospholipids was observed. In prostate, the treatment, resulted in an accumulation of glycerides.

Effect of antiandrogens and medroxyprogesterone acetate on testicular morphometry in mice.

Administration to albino mice of cyproterone (C), cyproterone acetate (CA) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) for one week produced a marked decrease in volume, surface area and length of the seminiferous tubules besides inhibiting spermatogenesis. This response was elicited by all the three treatments but was assessed as mild in "C", moderate in "MPA" and severe in "CA" groups. On the basis of present work it is concluded that inhibition of spermatogenesis occurred even with low dose schedule of the two antiandrogens and MPA. The possible mechanism of action has been discussed in the light of available literature.

Lipid pattern in split ejaculate and Klinefelter's syndrome.

Total lipids, phospholipids, and cholesterol are present in greater amounts in fraction I of split ejaculates of normal healthy volunteers than in other fractions. Glyceride concentrations are higher in fraction III. The cholesterol-phospholipid ratio varies significantly in different fractions. The free ester-cholesterol ratio is also altered in different fractions. The relative importance of these findings in relation to sperm survival and motility is discussed. In whole ejaculates of patients with Klinefelter's syndrome, glyceride concentrations are higher, phospholipid concentrations are lower, and cholesterol concentrations remain unaltered as compared with samples from normal healthy volunteers.

Lipids in accessory sex glands of immature, mature and castrated male rats.

The distribution of lipids in accessory sex glands of male rats (immature, adult and castrated) has been analysed. The total lipids and phospholipids in adult rats were maximum in caput epididymis and minimal in prostate. An intermediary picture existed in the cauda epididymis and seminal vesicle. In general, phosphatidyl choline and ethanolamine were the major phospholipids in the tissues. Castration depleted the phospholipids in all the tissues. Glycerides were found to accumulate in caput and cauda epididymis, but were depleted in seminal vesicle and prostate in castrated rats. In immature rats, the total lipids were more than that of adults in caput and cauda epididymis but were less in seminal vesicle and prostate. It is suggested that these discrepancies may be due to the differences in the endogenous titres of hormones, and/or associated with structural and functional specificity of the tissues.

Lipid pattern in female reproductive tissues during different phases of estrous cycle.

The normal pattern of lipids during various phases of estrous cycle in different reproductive tissues of female rats was analysed. The various lipid calsses undergo striking cyclical changes in harmony with the rhythm of endogenous gonadal and gonadotrophic hormones. A comparison of lipid pattern was made between various phases of estrous cycle. Ovary exhibited marked alterations in the distribution of lipids in different phases of the cycle compared to other tissues. Total lipids were maximum in diestrus phospholipids in estrus with a concomittant fall in triglycerides in all the tissues. The fluctuation in oviductal and vaginal lipids was much less compared to other tissues. Hormone-lipid interrelationship and tissue specificity may be attributed to these changes.

Influence of hormones on accessory sex glands in males.

Administration of testosterone, oestrogen, progesterone and prolactin for seven days affected the epididymal lipids markedly whereas seminal vesicular and prostatic lipids were less affected. The increase in total lipids of caput epididymis by testosterone, oestrogen and progesterone was due to an elevation in neutral and phospholipid contents. However, progesterone alone caused an increase in total lipids of the cauda epididymides while oestrogen and prolactin decreased the same. In seminal vesicle and prostate, testosterone elicited a significant rise in total lipids. However, an opposite trend was obvious by the other three hormones. Testosterone alone was effective in elevating the total lipids, phospholipid, cholesterol and glycerides in prostates. Prolactin does not affect the prostatic lipids markedly. The significance of the lipid changes are discussed in relation to various physiological activities of sex accessories.