Effect of chloroquine administration on the in vitro conjugation of oestradiol-17 beta by rat liver.

The conjugation of oestradiol-17 beta was studied in control and chloroquine-treated rats. Liver homogenates were incubated with [14C]oestradiol-17 beta and cofactors for 4 h at 37 degrees C and free radioactivity was extracted before and after hot acid hydrolysis. The extent of conjugation was estimated from the ratio of free radioactivity to free plus conjugated radioactivity. The method was authenticated by the negligibly low conjugation obtained for either heat-denatured homogenates or water blank. Each experiment was corrected for its own recovery. The effects of both single and multiple intramuscular injections of chloroquine phosphate to rats on the in vitro conjugation of oestradiol-17 beta were studied separately. It was observed that both procedures significantly potentiated conjugation.

Plasma cortisol in Bos taurus and Bos indicus heifers in seasonal tropical climate.

Cortisol concentration in blood plasma was measured in Brown Swiss, Holstein-Friesian, and White Fulani heifers over two consecutive estrous cycles during each of the four quarters of the hot humid seasonal tropical climate of Ibadan, Southern Nigeria. Basal cortisol in plasma was low (between 1 and 10 ng/ml). Differences between breeds were not significant. Averages and increases with proestrus and estrus were higher in the wet season (March to August) than in the dry season (November to January). Packed cells volume was higher in the dry season than in the wet season. Seasonal changes in rhythmicity of the estrous cycle were not significant. The low cortisol in plasma probably reflects adaptation to the hot climate and a mechanism to prevent high metabolic heat.

Parasitism and contraceptives: a preliminary survey of the effect on haemoglobin levels.

PIP: The incidence of parasitic infection among 3 groups of women using different types of contraceptive devices in Ibadan has been compared with that among women who have never used any of these devices and a group of male subjects. The results are correlated with the mean hemoglobin (P.C.V.) levels for all groups. A low level was observed among the groups on IUDs and orals as well as the female control; while the group on injectables and the male control group showed normal P.C.V. levels. Although multiple infection predominated, this was generally of low intensity. Malaria was the only anemia-inducing infection which occurred with any significant variation between all the groups compared. Analysis of the incidence of infection against hemoglobin genotypes revealed no predisposition to any particular infection. The rse of infection was not deterred in the presence of contraceptives; rather, the resutls showed that it might be enhanced.^ieng

Contraception and haemoglobinopathies in Ibadan, Nigeria. An evaluation of the effect on anaemia.

The haemoglobin-genotype of women attending six family planning clinics in the city of Ibadan, Nigeria in a 16-month period was determined. Women with haemoglobinopathy S and C (Hb SS, SC and AC), in spite of the greater risks associated with pregnancy in them, were found to use the services of the family planning clinics less than others (Hb AA and AS) in the population. Women with Hb AA or Hb AS on different contraceptives had similar levels of erythrocyte packed cell volume except that reduced levels were observed in Hb AS acceptors on oral contraceptives not containing an iron supplement.

Total serum calcium and phosphorus levels in women taking oral contraceptives.

Total serum calcium and inorganic phosphorus levels were determined in 185 Nigerian women attending the post partum Family Planning Clinic of University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. The concentrations of calcium and inorganic phosphorus were similar in 37 control subjects to those in 83 women who had been fitted with the Lippes loop. Serum calcium levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.01) in 25 women taking Ovral 28 and in 40 women taking Norlestrin-Fe in comparison with the control group. The serum inorganic phosphorus levels were significantly increased (P > 0.01) in the women taking oral contraceptives in comparison with the control group.

Amniotic fluid bilirubin and creatinine concentrations in Nigerian pregnant women.

Amniotic fluid bilirubin and creatinine levels were determined in 143 pregnant patients of known maturity. The bilirubin values did not bear any significant relationship with the gestational age. The creatinine levels however, showed a rise as pregnancy progressed. Amiotic fluid mean creatinine values were below 1 mg/100 ml before 30 weeks and around 2 mg/100 ml close to term. Eighty per cent of all creatinine values at 37 weeks gestation and over were 1.6 mg/100 ml or more. The mean level of creatinine in amniotic fluid correlated with gestational age. This test can therefore be applied antenatally along with other clinical data to distinguish between the premature and mature infants.

Relationship of serum copper and zinc to human hypertension in Nigerians.

Serum copper and zinc levels were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy in 48 hypertensive Nigerians and in 37 normotensive controls. Serum copper and total cholesterol levels were significantly increased in the hypertensive patients, but their serum zinc levels did not differ from those of the controls.

Serum vitamin B12 levels in protein-malnourished children.

Serum vitamin B12 levels were assayed in 25 healthy and 35 protein-malnourished children aged 1-6 years. Serum proteins and haematocrit values of the children were also measured. Liver enlargement was estimated clinically. The mean serum vitamin B12 activity among protein-malnourished children was slightly higher than that for the control group. Serum vitamin B12 activity of the healthy Nigerian children was, however, high, and possible reasons for this are discussed in detail. There was some correlation between very high serum vitamin B12 levels among the protein-malnourished children and incidence of liver enlargement.

The effect of intra-uterine contraceptive devices on the oestrogen-induced incorporation of [3H-5]uridine into RNA by the rat uterus.

A length of copper or stainless steel wire or of silk thread suture was inserted as an intra-uterine device (IUD) for 3 days in the right uterine horn of ovariectomized virgin female rats. The left horn served as a control. The control rats were ovariectomized but had no IUD inserted. The in vitro incorporation of [3H-5]uridine into uterine RNA was significantly inhibited (P less than 0.005) in copper-bearing horns compared to control horns, while silk and steel devices had no inhibitory effect, thus indicating an effect of intra-uterine copper on oestradiol-induced uterine metabolism. The insertion of an intra-uterine device had no significant effect on uterine wet weight, DNA content or on the uptake of [3H-5]uridine into the nucleotide pool.

PIP: The effect of an IUD on estradiol-induced stimulation of uterine rib onucleic acid synthesis was studied. Experimental rats were ovariectomized concurrently with the insertion of an IUD of copper wire, silk thread, or stainless steel wire. Control rats were ovariectomized but no IUD was inserted. 3 days later each rat was injected with 5 mcg of estradiol-17beta in .5 ml of methanol. After 30 minutes rats were sacrificed. Uterine horns were excised and mounted on special glass slides. Further details of technical methods employed are given. The in vitro incorporation of (tritiated-5)uridine into uterine RNA was significantly inhibited (p less than .05) in copper-bearing horns compar ed with control horns. Silk or steel devices had no such inhibitory effect. This result indicates an effect of intrauterine copper on estradiol-induced uterine metabolism. The uterine wet weight, DNA content, or uptake of (tritiated-5)uridine into the nucleotide pool were unaffected. The correlations between these findings and their relationship to the antifertility effect of copper require further study since silk thread in the rat's uterus also has a contraceptive effect.

Sulphonylurea and hypothyroidism in Nigerian diabetic subjects.

Thyroid function has been assessed using the T3-Uptake test in 98 nigerian diabetic and 50 non-diabetic control subjects. Whilst abnormal tests suggestive of thyroidal hypofunctional state were commoner in the group on chlorpropamide alone, and in combination with metformin, these were unrelated to the duration of treatment. In addition, none had clinical hypothyroidism.

Systemic copper and sex steroids uptake by rat tissues.

Subcutaneous injection of copper sulphate into the rat produced a significant depression in the relative and absolute uptake of oestradiol by the uterus. With progesterone, an enhancement in the absolute count uptake in the uterus, muscle, liver and kidney occurred. The absolute uptake of oestradiol in muscle, liver and kidney were also enhanced.

Serum copper in schizophrenia in Nigerians.

Serum copper concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 102 schizophrenic patients and 95 healthy control subjects. The serum copper concentrations were significantly higher in the schizophrenic patients than in the normal control subjects. The average serum copper in schizophrenic females was higher than in schizophrenic males, but the difference was not statistically significant.

Serum calcium, phosphorus and magnesium levels in pregnant and non-pregnant Nigerians.

Serum calcium, inorganic phosphorus and magnesium were determined in 282 Nigerian women comprising 213 pregnant women, 37 non-pregnant controls, and 32 postpartum women. There was very little change in the serum calcium levels throughout pregnancy; the slight reduction which occurred during the 8th and 9th months was not statistically significant. There was a significant reduction in the serum concentrations of inorganic phosphorus and magnesium during the 8th and 9th months of gestation; the levels of both minerals rose to non-pregnant levels at term.