Innovative Approach of Learning Physiology through National Level Quiz.

Quiz has been considered an innovative practice of teaching. Self-directed learning is promoted by the quiz and this would help in better retention and help in clearing the concept of the students. The study aimed to assess the perception of the National level quiz conducted by the Physiology Department at AIIMS, Bhopal amongst participants from all over India through the questionnaire-based survey. This cross-sectional study was done based on questionnaire-based feedback from the students (29 number) participating in National Physiology Quiz. A pre-designed, structured, pre-validated questionnaire that includes close-ended questions based on the Likert scale and open-ended questions was distributed to participants and their responses were recorded. The Mean ±SD scores and median scores of 20 feedback questionnaires were evaluated using Microsoft excel software. The majority of the students (Mean more than 6) agreed that attempting/ attending the majority of the rounds was a good learning experience. The further quiz developed an interest in innovatively reading Physiology, it developed novel ideas and develop an interest in research activities and it helped us to improve communication and would help in clinical practice. Participants suggested conducting a screening round online (86.0%) and an audio-visual round (41.0%) was liked most, followed by a rapid-fire round (31.0%). National level quiz is an enjoyable activity for students and it promotes active learning in the students.

Relationship of seminal plasma transferrin with seminal parameters in male infertility.

This study was undertaken to investigate whether there is relationship between seminal plasma transferrin and seminal parameters which included sperm count, motility and morphology. The study included 100 male subjects in the age group of 23-41 yrs including 7 proven fertility, 6 post-vasectomised and 87 subjects were of idiopathic infertility. Estimation of seminal plasma transferrin concentration was done by using Mancini's single radial immunodiffusion technique. Study of the seminal parameters (Sperm count, Motility and Morphology) was done by using guidelines of WHO Manual. Mean seminal plasma transferrin concentration in proven fertility subject was 5.35 mg/dl (+/- 2.07) and in normozoospermic subject was 4.63 mg/dl (+/- 2.50) which was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than those of oligozoospermic, azoospermic and post-vasectomised subjects. Coefficient of correlation between seminal plasma transferrin concentration and sperm count was statistically significant (r = 0.3087, P < 0.001). The seminal plasma transferrin concentration was correlated with the percentage of motile sperms and was statistically significant. However no correlation could be demonstrated with various grades of motility. Statistically significant correlation was not found between transferrin and sperm morphology. The present study demonstrates that seminal plasma transferrin concentration is correlated with sperm count and percent motile sperms. Thus sertoli cell secretion-transferin has a positive influence over spermatogenesis and can be used as a marker of testicular function.