The spermiogram and correlation of seminal fluid parameters in patient attending fertility centre in Lagos, South West Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The determinant of the spermiogram of semen varies in different populations based on several factors ranging, from age to the pathological state of an individual to environmental factors. The aim of the study is to determine the spermiogram of patients that attend fertility clinics in southwest Nigeria and the relationship between the parameters. METHODOLOGY: This is a cross-sectional study that recruited two hundred and ninety seven (297) patients from two fertility centers in Lagos, Nigeria for the period of January 2021 to November 2022. The sperm samples were collected following WHO standards. The spermiogram was analyzed using an automated sperm analyzer and the descriptive and inference statistics of the study were carried out using R packages (R version 4.2.0). RESULTS: The result showed the mean age of 43.12±6.95years with median age of 42years. The mean of sperm count and concentration were 114×106 sperm cells and 42×106 per mL with the mean volume of the semen produced by the patients was 2.69mL and average motility (progressive and non-progressive) of the sperm is 47%±19%, 42%±17% has normal morphology. The distributions of the observed variables (seminal fluid parameters) were different from normal distributions in the studied population, such that almost all of them are skewed to the right. The degree of relationship between the sperm parameter were very weak. Nevertheless, specifically, there is a negative correlation between age and sperm count, age and motility, age and volume, and a positive correlation between age and abnormal morphology. The results showed that sperm morphology has a significant effect on motility while sperm morphology significantly depend on sperm count. CONCLUSION: An increase in sperm volume and concentration improves the sperm morphology and boost the sperm motility, this may increasing the chance of fertility.

Aquoeus Extracts of Daucus Carota (Linn) Protected the Postnatal Developing Cerebellum of Wistar Rats Against Arsenic-Induced Oxidative Stress.

The neuroprotective effects of the aqueous extract of Daucus carota (Dc) tuber against arsenic-induced oxidative damage on the developing cerebellum of Wistar rats were studied. Twenty-five pregnant rats (110-200g) were divided into five groups (n=5) - control received distilled water; Arsenic (As); Dc (200mg/kg); Dc (200mg/kg) +As; Vitamin C (Vc) (100mg/kg) +As. The pregnant rats in all the groups were treated orally from the first day of pregnancy to postnatal day 21. The Dc extract and Vc were administered one hour before the administration of As. Body weight of the pups on days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 were recorded, while neurobehavioural (forelimb grip strength and negative geotaxis) tests were done on day 21 pups. The rats were sacrificed and cerebellar tissues were collected for oxidative stress, histological (H and E), and immunohistochemical studies. Decreased forelimb grip strength, increased lipid peroxidation and decreased glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase was observed in the As group compared with the control and other treated groups. Histologically, the cerebellar cortex of the As pups showed persistent external granular layer (EGL) on postnatal day 21, reduced thickness of the molecular layer (ML) on postnatal day 28, pyknotic and depleted Purkinje cells compared with the control and other treated rats. Immunohistochemical evaluations of the cerebellar cortex showed astroliosis in the As-treated group on day 21 pups compared with the control and other treated groups.  Aqueous extracts of Daucus carota and Vitamin C reversed the toxicity caused by arsenic. From the results of the study, arsenic-induced oxidative stress with morphological alterations in the perinatal developing rat cerebellum. Extracts of Daucus carota exhibited antioxidant activity as such may be a potential neuroprotective agent.

Raffia hookeri Ethanolic Pulp Extract Ameliorated Neuronal Damage and Brain Oxidative Stress Following Mechanical-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a complex process resulting into structural brain damage and functional deficits as a result of an external mechanical force. This study aimed to investigate the possible ameliorative effect of Raphia hookeri ethanol extract (RHEE) on induced acute traumatic brain injury in rats. The choice of the plant was based on its reported anti-oxidative property. Thirty-six female Wistar rats were divided into six groups of six animals each. I: CONTROL - distilled water orally; II: RHEE - 100 mg/kg RHEE; III: Sharp trauma brain injury (STBI); IV: STBI+RHEE; V: Blunt trauma brain injury (BTBI); VI: BTBI+RHEE.  Brain injury was inflicted using modified weight drop technique on experimental day 1 while RHEE was given orally by gavage for 7 days post-injury. Blood was collected serially 24hrs, 72hrs and 7 days post-trauma for full blood count and differentials of the white blood cells. On day nine, rats were euthanized and brain harvested for biochemical and histological analyses. Trauma significantly (p<0.05) reduced the relative brain weight of rats compared with the control. Lymphocyte count increased while neutrophils reduced in all traumatized rats compared with control group. Both BTBI and STBI significantly (p<0.05) elevated MDA and significantly (p<0.05) reduced the level of GSH, the activities of SOD and CAT enzymes compared with control group. Histologically, the extent of haemorrhage into the subarachnoid and brain parenchyma in STBI and BTBI groups was reduced in the BTBI+RHEE and STBI+RHEE groups. Administration of RHEE reduced oxidative damage and ameliorated neuronal damage in sharp and blunt brain injuries.

The role of antioxidants in cerebellar development: a review of literature / Rol de los antioxidantes en el desarrollo del cerebelo: una revisión de la literatura

Developmental pathologies may result from endogenous or xenobiotic-enhanced formation of reacting oxygen species (ROS), which oxidatively damage cellular macromolecules and/or alter signal transduction, and that the embryonic processes regulating the balance of ROS formation, oxidative DNA damage and repair, and ROS-mediated signal transduction may be important determinants of teratological risk. ROS can oxidize molecular targets such as DNA, protein, lipid in a process called oxidative stress resulting in cellular dysfunction and in utero death or teratogenicity. This review, consisting of literature search of journals and chapters in books aims at highlighting the importance of the cerebellum in controlling various motor activities in the body, as well as substances affecting cerebellar development with a view of providing an insight to the role antioxidants play in cerebellar development. It is interesting to note that the developing brain (especially the cerebellum, cerebrum and hippocampus) is highly vulnerable to the deleterious effects of ROS. Studies have shown that exposure to oxidants in the first trimester is associated with an increased risk of major congenital anomalies, as most vital organs in the body develop and some become functional within this period in offspring. Antioxidants may prevent oxidative damage in degenerative diseases including ageing, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, stroke and Parkinson's disease as such play a critical role in wellness and health maintenance.

Las patologías del desarrollo pueden resultar de la formación endógena o xenobiótica de especies reactivas de oxígeno (ROS), que dañan oxidativamente macromoléculas celulares y/o alteran la transducción de señales, y los procesos embrionarios que regulan el equilibrio de la formación de ROS, daño oxidativo y reparación del ADN; la transducción de señales mediada por ROS pueden ser determinantes e importantes del riesgo teratológico. Las ROS pueden oxidar blancos moleculares como el ADN, proteínas y lípidos en un proceso llamado estrés oxidativo que resulta en disfunción celular y muerte intrauterina o teratogenicidad. Esta revisión consiste en la búsqueda bibliográfica de artículos y capítulos de libros con el objetivo de destacar la importancia del cerebelo en el control de diversas actividades motoras del cuerpo, así como las sustancias que afectan el desarrollo de él con el fin de proporcionar una visión del rol que juegan los antioxidantes en el desarrollo del cerebelo. Es interesante observar que el encéfalo en desarrollo (especialmente el cerebelo, cerebro e hipocampo) son altamente vulnerables a los efectos deletéreos de las ROS. Se ha demostrado que la exposición a oxidantes en el primer trimestre de embarazo se asocia con un mayor riesgo de anomalías congénitas graves, como la mayoría de los órganos vitales del cuerpo en desarrollo y algunos se vuelven funcionales dentro de este período en la descendencia. Los antioxidantes pueden prevenir el daño oxidativo en enfermedades degenerativas incluyendo envejecimiento, enfermedades cardiovasculares, cáncer, enfermedad de Alzheimer, accidente cerebrovascular y enfermedad de Parkinson, y desempeñan un rol crítico en el mantenimiento de la salud y el bienestar.

Phenytoin-induced Toxicity in the Postnatal Developing Cerebellum of Wistar Rats, Effect of Calotropis procera on Histomorphometric Parameters / Toxicidad Inducida por Fenitoína en el Desarrollo Postnatal del Cerebelo de Ratas Wistar, Efecto de Calotropis procera sobre los Parámetros Histomorfométricos

The role of methanolic leaf extracts of Calotropis procera in phenytoin-induced toxicity on histomorphometric variables in the postnatal developing cerebellum of Wistar rat was studied. Pregnant rats were treated orally with 50 mg/kg phenytoin in pre and post natal life and 300 mg/kg methanolic leaf extract of Calotropis procera 1 hour prior to phenytoin administration. 200 mg/kg vitamin C (standard antioxidant) was also administered orally 1 hour prior to phenytoin treatment. The control animals received water. Standard diet of rat pellets and water were provided ad libitum. At the end of the experiment, the offspring of days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 50 post partum, five per group were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The cerebellum of all groups were dissected out and processed for histomorphometric studies. The results showed in the developing cerebellum of phenytoin treated animals, a delayed cell maturation in the external granular layer, reduction of the molecular layer, astrocytic gliosis and loss of Purkinje cells on day 50 postpartum. Administration of extracts of Calotropis procera and vitamin C though reversed these changes when compared with the phenytoin treated group, but not significantly when compared with the control. In conclusion, supplementation with methanolic extracts of Calotropis procera reduced the rate at which phenytoin induced toxicity in the postnatal developing cerebellum of Wistar rat.

Fue estudiado el rol de los extractos metanólicos de las hojas de Calotropis procera en la toxicidad inducida por fenitoína sobre las variables histomorfométricas en el desarrollo postnatal del cerebelo de ratas Wistar. Ratas preñadas fueron tratadas por vía oral con 50 mg/kg de fenitoína durante la vida pre y post natal. Además, fue administrado, por vía oral, una hora antes del tratamiento con fenitoína 300 mg/kg de extracto metanólico de las hojas de Calotropis procera y 200 mg/kg de vitamina C (antioxidante estándar). Los animales control recibieron agua. Una dieta estándar de pellets para rata y agua se proporcionaron ad libitum. Al final del experimento, 5 crías por grupo de 1, 7, 14, 21, 28 y 50 días post parto, fueron sacrificadas por dislocación cervical. El cerebelo de todos los animales de los diferentes grupos fueron disecados y procesados para el estudio histomorfométrico. Los resultados mostraron en el desarrollo del cerebelo de los animales tratados con fenitoína un retraso en la maduración de células en la capa granular externa, reducción de la capa molecular, gliosis astrocitaria y pérdida de las células de Purkinje en el día 50 post parto. La administración de extractos de Calotropis procera y vitamina C, aunque invirtieron estos cambios, en comparación con los grupos tratados con fenitoína, no fueron significativos en comparación con el control. En conclusión, la suplementación con extractos metanólicos de Calotropis procera redujo la velocidad a la que la fenitoína induce toxicidad en el desarrollo postnatal del cerebelo de ratas Wistar.

Estudios en los efectos de fijadores en la capacidad de tinción de los extractos de morinda lucida en secciones de tejidos / Studies on the effects of fixatives on the staining ability of morinda lucida extracts on tissue sections

The objective of the study was to determine the best fixative for tissue sections, which were to be stained with the dye extracts oí Morinda lucida, a stain for collagen fibres and muscle fibres. The effects of 10 percent formalin saline, Carnoy's fluid, Zenker's fluid, Helly's fluid and Bouin's fluid on the staining ability of the dye extracted from Morinda lucida on tissue sections were studied. Human tissues were fixed in the afore mentioned fixatives and the sections stained with acidified alcoholic solution of Morinda lucida extract. No visible difference in the staining reactions was observed when the stained slides from the different fixatives were compared. The colour, staining time and staining intensity were the same in all the sections studied.

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar el mejor fijador para secciones de tejidos, los cuales fueron teñidos con el extracto de Morinda lucida, una tinción para fibras colágenas y musculares. Fueron estudiados los efectos de formalina salina al 10 por ciento, líquido de Carnoy, líquido de Zenker, líquido de Helly y líquido de Bouin en la capacidad de tinción de los extractos de Morinda lucida sobre los tejidos. Fueron fijados tejidos humanos en los fijadores antes mencionados y las secciones teñidas con solución alcohólica acidificada de extracto de Morinda lucida. No se observaron diferencias visibles en las tinciones cuando fueron comparadas con los diferentes fijadores. El color, tiempo de tinción e intensidad de tinción fueron iguales en todas las secciones estudiadas.

Reduction of hippocampal CA 1 neurons in Wistar rats following the administration of phenytoin for seven days.

This study evaluated the neurotoxic effect of parenteral Phenytoin on the Cornu Ammonis 1 (CA 1) region of the Hippocampus in Wistar rats.Twenty wistar rats were randomized into two groups of ten animals each with the experimental group receiving intraperitoneal Phenytoin at a dose of 25 mg/kg body weight per day for seven days while the control group had sham injection of normal saline at equivalent volume for the same period. Hippocampal sections were processed for histology using routine paraffin sectioning followed by Heamatoxylin and Eosin staining. There was a statistically significant reduction in the mean body weight of the experimental group compared to the control group. The cell density in the stratum pyramidale (per 0.11 mm2 area of the CA 1 region of the Hippocampus) was reduced in the experimental group when compared to the control group. (P<0.05). The mean brain weight in both groups did not differ significantly. Our findings reveal that the administration of parenteral phenytoin at a dose of 25mg/kg body weight per day for seven days in Wistar rats resulted in reduction of the cell density in the stratum pyramidale of the CA 1 subfield of the Hippocampus in Wistar rats and a reduction in the mean body weight.

Neuroprotective effect of dexamethasone on the morphology of the Irradiated post natal developing cerebellum of wistar rat (Rattus norvegicus)

RESUMEN: Se estudió el efecto neuroprotector de la dexametasona, sobre el cerebelo post-natal en desarrollo irradiado de ratas Wistar. 75 neonatos de 1 día de edad fueron separados en 3 grupos; el grupo control no recibió ni drogas ni irradiación, un grupo irradiado y el otro irradiado con aplicación de dexametasona. Esta droga fue administrada una hora antes de la exposición de 5Gray (5Gy) de rayos gamma. El tejido cerebelar de cada grupo con 5, 9, 14, 21 y 25 días fueron procesados para estudios histológicos e histomorfométricos. El resultado del estudio demostró que la sola irradiación redujo significativamente el grosor de la capa granular externa, en los grupos con 5 y 14 día,s con un p0,05; la capa molecular en los ejemplares de 5, 9, 14 y 21 días con un p0,05 y la capa granular en las ratas de 5,9,14 y 25 días, con un p0,05. Cuando se combinó la dexametasona con irradiación, se observó un grosor significativamente diferente en la capa granular externa, en especímenes con 5, 9 y 14 días; en la capa molecular en los animales de 5, 14 y 21 días y en la capa granular en los que tenían 5 y 14 días, al compararlos con el grupo irradiado, con un p>0,05. El diámetro de las células de Purkinje (capa de Purkinje) aunque fue significativamente reducido en el grupo irradiado de 14 y 21 días, no fue significativamente diferente cuandos se administró dexametasona a los animales irradiados de 5, 9, 14, 21 y 25 días con un p0,05. Histológicamente, las células de la capa molecular, en el grupo irradiado de 9 y 14 días, fueron marcadamente gliosadas comparadas con las medianamente marcadas en los grupos control e irradiados-dexametasona. Hubo distorsión de la monocapa de Purkinje, con algunas células encontradas en la capa molecular o en la capa de Purkinje, en el grupo irradiado de 5, 9, 14 y 25 días. De los resultados de este estudio, se puede afirmar que la administración de 0,005 ml de dexametasona intraperitonealmente, una hora antes de una exposición a una irradiación, parece proteger el desarrollo del cerebelo de la rata, de lesiones producidas por irradiación.

Gross morphological studies on the effect of cyanide on the developing cerebellum of wistar rat (rattus novegicus).

The teratogenic effect of maternal cyanide consumption on the gross morphology of the post-natal phase of the developing rat cerebellum was studied. Twenty pregnant female rats weighing between 170 g and 190 g were separated into control and experimental groups. The control animals were fed a standard diet of mice cubes, while the experimental animals were fed 500 ppm potassium cyanide, mixed with the standard diet. The diets were fed to the animals and their litters in separate cages and water provided ad libitum during gestation and to the offspring after birth. After birth, the offspring (five per group) of days 1, 9, 14, 21, 28 and 50 were weighed, killed by cervical dislocation and the gross parameters studied. In the experimental animals, no significant differences were observed in the studied parameters between the control and experimental animals on day 1. A significant reduction in body weight was observed on day 14 (P < 0.05). The brain weight was significantly reduced on day 9 (P < 0.05). Similarly, the cerebellar weight was significantly reduced on days 14,21 and 28 (P < 0.05). The maximum vermal length was significantly reduced on day 50 (P < 0.05), and the maximum side-to-side dimension of the cerebellum was also reduced on day 28 (P < 0.05). There was no reduction in the thickness (anteroposterior dimension) of the cerebellum in the experimental group (P > 0.05). From the result, it is inferred that maternal consumption of 500 ppm cyanide causes reduction in the cerebellar weight, vermal length and side-to-side dimension of the developing cerebellum in postnatal life in rats.

Complete Ossification of the Superior Transverse Scapular Ligament in a Nigerian Male Adult / Osificación Completa del Ligamento Transverso Escapular Superior en un Hombre Adulto Nigeriano

Complete ossification of the superior transverse scapular ligament is generally considered to be rare and has not been previously described in a Nigerian. In the diagnosis of suprascapular nerve entrapment syndrome, variations in the anatomy of the superior transverse scapular ligament must be considered as possible etiologic factors, as illustrated by this case report.

La osificación completa del ligamento transverso escapular superior es generalmente considerado como raro y no existen datos previamente descritos en nigerianos. En el diagnóstico del síndrome de compresión del nervio supraescapular, variaciones anatómicas del ligamento transverso escapular superior pueden ser consideradas un posible factor etiológico, como es el caso descrito.

Wound healing activities of methanolic extracts Ocimum gratissimum leaf in Wistar rats - a preliminary study.

The wound healing effect of leaf extracts of Ocimum gratissimum was investigated in adult male Wistar rats. Two groups of adult male Wistar rats, average body weight 170g, had a 2cm by 2cm square wound inflicted on the dorsolateral aspect of their trunk with Paniculus Carnosus removed. Experimental group had their wound dressed with methanolic leaf extracts of Ocimum gratissimum while control group had their wounds dressed with normal saline dressing. All animals had wound dressing done every five days; wound dimension measured and, wound morphometry assessed. Wound biopsy was done by random selection in each group on day 10 and the day of complete re-epithelisation. Routine paraffin wax processing was done, slides stained with haematoxylene and eosin for histological assessment of fibroblast count, neovascularisation and granulation tissue profile. The result revealed significant wound contraction (P<0.05) on day 10 in the experimental group (mean 73.40 +/- 3.30)cm2 compared with the control group (mean 53.50 +/- 4.32)cm2. Histology of the healed scar showed non-significant (P>0.05) decrease in the mean fibroblast count forthe experimental group (83.80 +/- 5.70) relative to fibroblast count of 90.20 +/- 17.90 in the control group. The mean blood vessel count was also non-significantly lowered (P>0.05) in the experimental group (9.20 +/- 1.20) relative to the control group (13.40 +/- 2.40). Granulation tissue histology on day 10 showed denser inflammatory infiltrate as reflected by increased cellularity in the control group relative to that of the experimental group which though appeared adequate was not as dense as the control group. Thus we suggest that the methanolic extracts of O. gratissimum could be a potential wound healing agent due to its ability to enhance wound contraction.

Enhanced wound contraction in fresh wounds dressed with honey in Wistar rats (Rattus Novergicus).

BACKGROUND: Due to reports that honey accelerates wound healing, an investigation on its role in wound contraction in fresh wounds inflicted on wistar rats was carried out. METHOD: Twenty adult male wistar rats had 2cm by 2cm square wound inflicted on their right dorsolateral trunk. They were divided into two groups. The experimental group had their wounds dressed with honey while the control group had normal saline dressing. Wound dressing was done every five days and measurements taken at each dressing. Wound morphology was also assessed. RESULTS: Dressing with honey significantly enhanced percentage wound contraction on day 10 with value of 79.20+/-2.94 compared to control value of 53.50+/-4.32. p=0.0. The mean wound measurement on day 10 reduced significantly in honey group, 1.15+/-0.18 compared to control group 2.38+/-0.28. p=0.002. However, there was no significant difference in fibroblast count per high power field in honey group 68.0+/-2.59 compared to control 90.2+/-17.40, p=0.242. Honey dressing increased mean blood vessel count per high power field, 18.8+/-3.77 albeit non significantly when compared to control value of 13.4+/-2.44, p=0.264. Also honey dressing caused increased granulation tissue formation in wounds dressed with honey compared to control group. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that honey dressing enhances wound contraction in fresh wounds which is one of the key features of wound healing.

Histomorphometric studies on the effect of cyanide consumption of the developing cerebellum of wistar rat (Rattus Novergicus).

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the microscopic effect of maternal cyanide consumption on the developing cerebellum of Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty pregnant female rats weighing between 160 g and 180 g were used in this study. The rats were separated into two groups comprising ten control and ten experimental animals. The control animals were fed a standard diet of mice cubes, while the experimental animals were fed 500 ppm potassium cyanide, mixed with the standard diet. The diets were fed to the animals and their litters in separate cages and water provided ad libitum during pre and postnatal life. After birth, the offspring (five per group) of days 1,9,14,21,28 and 50 were weighed and killed by cervical dislocation. The cerebellar tissues were processed and microscopic parameters studied. RESULTS: A thicker external granular layer (EGL) was seen in the control group on day 1(39+/-9.2microm) compared with the experimental group (29+/-5.8microm) and on day 9(83+/-7.1microm) compared with the experimental group (78+/-13microm). However, these were not significantly different statistically. A thicker and persistent EGL was observed in the experimental group on days 14 and 21. A significant (P<0.05) reduction in the thickness of molecular layer (ML) was observed on days 28 and 50 in the experimental group. The density and size of the Purkinje cells were the same in both the control and experimental groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Maternal consumption of 500 ppm cyanide in rats does not significantly affect light microscopic prenatal cerebellar development, but causes mild changes in the post-natal life. Maternal cyanide consumption causes delayed maturation of the cerebellum, as evidenced by the thicker EGL, and reduction in the ML in the experimental group which become noticeable only at about 28th day of postnatal life.

A comparative study of the wound healing properties of honey and Ageratum conyzoides.

The present study investigates the wound healing properties of methanolic extracts of Ageratum conyzoides leaves compared with those of honey. Thirty Wistar rats were randomized into 3 groups of 10 animals each. They were fed with standard rat cubes and Tap water weighed and acclimatized to laboratory conditions for one week. Under anesthesia, each animal had the skin of its dorsolateral flank shaved after which an area of the skin was excised. On achieving haemostasis, the wounds were packed with gauze soaked in the appropriate dressing for each group. Measurement of wound size, and wound biopsies were taken on the 10th day post-wound creation. Together with healed wound samples, these were processed for histology. Fibroblast and blood vessel densities per unit area of wound were determined for the healed wound samples. Histologically, the day 10 Ageratum sections showed fewer inflammatory cells compared with similar honey and Control sections. Also, healed scar sections of wounds dressed with the herb extract showed more fibrosis. Honey and Ageratum caused significant greater wound contraction than controls (p = 0.001 and 0.005 respectively). Healed wounds from the Ageratum group had significantly fewer fibroblasts than honey and controls (p = 0.012 and 0.036 respectively).