Cocos nucifera L. water improves reproductive indices in Wistar Rats.

BACKGROUND: This study explored the effects of Cocos nucifera L. water (CW) on the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG) and fertility in Wistar rats. METHODS: Adult male and female Wistar rats were treated orally as follows; Study 1: Group 1: control (distilled water), group 2: 20 ml/kg corn oil (danazol vehicle), group 3: 20 ml/kg CW, group 4: 40 ml/kg CW, group 5: danazol, group 6: danazol + 20 ml/kg CW and group 7: danazol + 40 ml/kg CW. 200 mg/ kg danazol was administered. Serum levels of LH, FSH, estradiol and testosterone; gonadal weights and sperm indices were assessed. Study 2: Group 1: control (distilled water), group 2: 20 ml/kg CW, group 3: 40 ml/kg CW for 6 and 2 weeks prior to mating in male and female rats respectively. RESULTS: Significant (p < 0.05) increases in estradiol concentration were observed in groups 3, 4, 6 and 7. Significant reductions in LH, FSH, estradiol and testosterone levels were observed in group 5 which were ameliorated in groups 6 and 7. Males showed significant increases in sperm count and motility in groups 3, 4, 6 and 7, and reductions in these variables along with viability in group 5. CW pre-treatment increased fecundity index and proportion of female pups from dams, while the pups from sires showed higher birth weights. CONCLUSIONS: CW acts on the HPG to positively influence reproductive function in both males and females and may aid in maternal preconception sex selection of female offspring.

Rift Valley fever in Nigeria: infections in humans.

Between 1985 and 1989, a total of 3,121 human sera collected from different population groups in six ecological zones of Nigeria were tested for the presence of antibodies to Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus by the haemagglutination-inhibition test. All reactive sera were further tested by the plaque reduction neutralisation test and specific RVF immunoglobulin M (IgM) assay. A total of 461 sera (14.8%) demonstrated haemagglutination-inhibiting antibody and 390 of the 461 initially reactive sera (84.6%) revealed neutralising antibodies. A significantly higher exposure to the virus was found among livestock workers and wildlife rangers than in other categories of people tested. The rate of positive reactions was higher in adults of 30 years or more than in younger age groups. Of 461 sera tested for specific RVF IgM, 107 gave positive results (23.2%). The highest prevalence of RVF IgM was found among livestock and forestry workers. In the longitudinal survey, an RVF virus infection rate of 6.7% was demonstrated. The infection rate was significantly higher during the wet season than during the dry season of the same year.