Steroidogenic enzyme histochemistry in the testis of Sprague Dawley rats following the administration the water extracts from Carica papaya seed.

Water extracts from pawpaw seed have been reported to reversibly decrease the testicular weight and to suppress spermatogenesis, and fertility of Wistar rats. The reversible changes become evident, 30 - 45 days after the withdrawal of the extract. The possible effect of this extract on the activities of steroidogenic enzymes of the testis has not been investigated. Water extract of papaya seeds was administered to male Sprague Dawley rats ad libitum for 84 days. Following the discontinuation of the extracts, ten rats each were sacrificed on days 0, 10, 20 and 30 after the withdrawal. Their testes were quickly dissected out and frozen. Cryostat sections, 10µm thick were cut. These sections were used for immunohistochemical stains for side chain cleavage enzyme and aromatase, and for histochemical stains for 17-ß Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 3-ß Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. We conclude that the water extract of papaya seed suppresses the activities of steroidogenic enzymes in the testis of Sprague Dawley rats, and that this may contribute to reversible suppression of spermatogenesis, a property that gives a possible male contraceptive potential.

Anaemia in pregnancy: associations with parity, abortions and child spacing in primary healthcare clinic attendees in Trinidad and Tobago.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of anaemia in antenatal clinic attendees; to investigate the effects of parity, age, gravidity, previous abortions, child spacing and other factors on the prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy. METHODS: This was a retrospective and cross-sectional study. Antenatal records of 2287 pregnant women attending 40 public healthcare centres from January 2000 to December 2005 in Trinidad and Tobago were used. Data pertaining to the investigated variables were recorded. The national prevalence of anaemia was calculated and chi-square tests, odds ratios and logistic regression were used to assess the relationship between anaemia and each variable. RESULTS: The prevalence of anaemia was 15.3% (95% CI 13.4%, 16.6%). No significant difference in the prevalence of anaemia was found among the different clinics or counties. At the first haemoglobin reading, age was inversely related to the presence of anaemia, whereas gestational age at first visit was directly related. At the final haemoglobin reading, parity, gravidity, and previous spontaneous abortions were directly related to the prevalence of anaemia, while the number of visits was inversely related. Age was inversely associated to the severity of anaemia while gravidity was directly related. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of anaemia decreased by 18.7% from 1967. Despite this positive indication, women under 24 years and those commencing antenatal care after the first trimester are still at a higher risk for developing anaemia. Early commencement of antenatal care and close monitoring of the risk groups identified should be strongly advocated.

The incidence of fibromyoma and polycystic ovary syndrome in women in Trinidad (2000-2003)

PROBLEM STATEMENT: Before this study was done there were no reports of similar studies in Trinidad whereas similar study had been reported from other parts of the World including the Caribbean sub-region. The present study was thus designed to investigate the incidence and demographics of leiomyomata and polycystic ovary syndrome in women in two health institutions in Trinidad during the period from 2000-2003, inclusive. The study also sought to establish the prevalence of the established risk factors viz. age, ethnicity, parity and gravidity and to examine their relationship with the two disease conditions. APPROACH: The study population included only women who were diagnosed with or treated for these conditions at the Mt. Hope Medical Science Complex and San Fernando General Hospital in Trinidad and Tobago during the specified period. RESULTS: The most common presenting complaints were vaginal bleeding and colicky lower abdominal pain for fibroids and polycystic ovarian syndrome respectively. The majority of the fibroid cases were aged between 40 and 49 years. Similarly most of the patients with polycystic ovary were aged between 20 and 29 years. Hysterectomy was the most frequent surgical intervention. Prior to this, patients were placed on haematinics for anaemia and analgesics for pain. CONCLUSION: The present study has provided the database that could be harnessed in improving the health care delivery system for the population of Trinidad in different ways as discussed in the text of the article.

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) immunoreactivity in the intestine of Alloxan-diabetic Sprague Dawley rat.

Intestinal L-cells synthesize a proglucagon molecule which is processed to form glucagons-like peptide 1(GLP-1) and glucagons-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) together with other peptides. The L-cells contain the enzyme proglucagon convertase1 (PC1) and proglucagon convertase3 (PC3). Plasma levels of GLP-1 have been reported to vary in types 1 and 2 diabetes and in experimental type 1 diabetic rats. The â-cell of the pancreatic islets contain predominantly PC2, and the predominant peptide secreted are glucagon and GLP-1; the latter is reported to stimulate the release of insulin from pancreatic â-cells, and also to stimulate the proliferation of â-cells. The antidiabetogenic potential of GLP-1 has been reported, and the analogue has been used to control blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetics. In this experiment the immunoreactivity of GLP-1 in the L-cells of the small intestine and colon of alloxan diabetic Sprague Dawley rats was investigated. Results showed that the immunoreactivity of GLP-1 was significantly reduced in the L-cells of the small intestine and the colon of alloxan diabetic rats.

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) immunoreactivity in the intestine of Alloxan-diabetic Sprague Dawley rat.

Intestinal L-cells synthesize a proglucagon molecule which is processed to form glucagons-like peptide 1(GLP-1) and glucagons-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) together with other peptides. The L-cells contain the enzyme proglucagon convertase1 (PC1) and proglucagon convertase3 (PC3). Plasma levels of GLP-1 have been reported to vary in types 1 and 2 diabetes and in experimental type 1 diabetic rats. The â-cell of the pancreatic islets contain predominantly PC2, and the predominant peptide secreted are glucagon and GLP-1; the latter is reported to stimulate the release of insulin from pancreatic â-cells, and also to stimulate the proliferation of â-cells. The antidiabetogenic potential of GLP-1 has been reported, and the analogue has been used to control blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetics. In this experiment the immunoreactivity of GLP-1 in the L-cells of the small intestine and colon of alloxan diabetic Sprague Dawley rats was investigated. Results showed that the immunoreactivity of GLP-1 was significantly reduced in the L-cells of the small intestine and the colon of alloxan diabetic rats.

Effect of alloxan diabetes, on glicentin-secreting L-cells in the small intestine of Sprague Dawley rats,

The L-cells of the small intestine synthesize a proglucagon molecule which is processed to form glicentin, oxyntomodulin, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucagons-like peptide 2 (GLP-2). Glicentin and oxyntomodulin inhibit gastric secretion, and delay tansit time through the stomach. Serum concentrations of GLP-1 and GLP-2 have been reported to vary in types 1 and 2 diabetes and in streptozocin induced diabetic rats. It was initially thought that these variations were due to the activity of intestinal L- cells, but it was later found that this was from pancreatic alpha cells. Very little work had been done on the effect of diabetes on glicentin producing cells of the gut. In this experiment the effects of alloxan diabetes on glicentin producing L-cells of the intestines was investigated using immunohistochemical techniques. Results showed that the immunoreactivity of glicentin was noticeablly reduced in the L-cells of the small intestine of alloxan-diabetic rats.

Effect of alloxan diabetes, on glicentin-secreting L-cells in the small intestine of Sprague Dawley rats,

The L-cells of the small intestine synthesize a proglucagon molecule which is processed to form glicentin, oxyntomodulin, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucagons-like peptide 2 (GLP-2). Glicentin and oxyntomodulin inhibit gastric secretion, and delay tansit time through the stomach. Serum concentrations of GLP-1 and GLP-2 have been reported to vary in types 1 and 2 diabetes and in streptozocin induced diabetic rats. It was initially thought that these variations were due to the activity of intestinal L- cells, but it was later found that this was from pancreatic alpha cells. Very little work had been done on the effect of diabetes on glicentin producing cells of the gut. In this experiment the effects of alloxan diabetes on glicentin producing L-cells of the intestines was investigated using immunohistochemical techniques. Results showed that the immunoreactivity of glicentin was noticeablly reduced in the L-cells of the small intestine of alloxan-diabetic rats.

Origins of colonic preganglionic parasympathetic motorneurons from the central nervous system: a wheat germ agglutinin- horse radish peroxidase study in the ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

The Wheat germ Agglutinin Horseradish Peroxidase (WGA-HRP) transneural nerve tracing technique was used to study the localisation of colonic preganglionic parasympathetic neurons in the central nervous system of the ferret. THe entire colon, from the iliocecal junction to the colorectal junction was subdivided into four segments and the muscular wall of each segment injected separately with the tracer. The ferrets used as controls were also subdivided into four groups. The first group was injected with normal saline, the second group was the tracer following bilateral trunkal vagotomy, the third group intraperitoneally and the fourth group had tracer injected into the hepatic portal vein. The experimental as well as control ferrets were allowed to survive for 24 to 96 hours after which they were anaesthetized and perfused sequentially with normal saline, buffered fixative and buffered sucrose. Serial transverse frozen sections were taken from the brainstem and the sacral segments were taken from the spinal cord of the ferrets. These were then processed for WGA-HRP neurohistochemistry and analysed under light and dark illuminations. THe results of the study show that the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagua nerve (DMX) supplies the anterior 3 segments of the colon while the sacral segment of the spinal cord supplies the post 2 segments of the colon.

Origins of colonic preganglionic parasympathetic motorneurons from the central nervous system: a wheat germ agglutinin- horse radish peroxidase study in the ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

The Wheat germ Agglutinin Horseradish Peroxidase (WGA-HRP) transneural nerve tracing technique was used to study the localisation of colonic preganglionic parasympathetic neurons in the central nervous system of the ferret. The entire colon, from the iliocecal junction to the colorectal junction was subdivided into four segments and the muscular wall of each segment injected separately with the tracer. The ferrets used as controls were also subdivided into four groups. The first group was injected with normal saline, the second group was the tracer following bilateral trunkal vagotomy, the third group intraperitoneally and the fourth group had tracer injected into the hepatic portal vein. The experimental as well as control ferrets were allowed to survive for 24 to 96 hours after which they were anaesthetized and perfused sequentially with normal saline, buffered fixative and buffered sucrose. Serial transverse frozen sections were taken from the brainstem and the sacral segments were taken from the spinal cord of the ferrets. These were then processed for WGA-HRP neurohistochemistry and analysed under light and dark illuminations. The results of the study show that the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagua nerve (DMX) supplies the anterior 3 segments of the colon while the sacral segment of the spinal cord supplies the post 2 segments of the colon.

Origins of colonic preganglionic parasympathetic motoneurons from the central nervous system: A wheatgem agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase study in the ferret (Mustela Putorius furo)

The wheat gem Agglutinin-Horseradish Peroxidase (WGA-HRP)trabsneuronal nerve tracing technique was used to study the localization of colonic preganglionic parasympathetic neurons in the central nervous system of the fettet. The entire colon, from the iliocecal junction to the colorectal junction was subdivided into four segments and the muscular wall of each segment injected separately with the tracer. The ferrets used as controls were also subdivided into four groups. The first group was injected with normal saline, the second group with the tracer following bilateral trunkal vagotomy, the third group intraperitoneally and the fourth group had tracer injection into the hepatic portal vein. The experimental as well as the control of ferrets were allowed to survive for 24 to 96 hours after which they were anaesthetized and perfused sequentilly with normal saline, buffered fixative, and buffered sucrose.Serial transverse frozen sections were taken from the brainstem and the sacral segments of the spinal cord of the ferrets. These were then processed for WGA-Hrp neurohitochemistry and analyzed under light and dark field illuninations. The results of the study show that the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (DMX) supplies the anterior 3 segments of the colon while the sacral segment of the spinal cord supplies the post 2 segments of the colon. It is concluded that in the innervation of the colon there is an overlap between the areas supplied by the DMX and those supplied by the sacral segment of the spinal cord (AU)

Origins of colonic preganglionic parasympathetic motoneurons from the central nervous system: a wheatgerm agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase study in the ferret (Mustela Putorius Furo).

The Wheat germ Agglutinin-Horseradish Peroxidase (WGA-HRP) transneuronal nerve tracing technique was used to study the localization of colonic preganglionic parasympathetic neurons in the central nervous system of the ferret. The entire colon, from the iliocecal junction to the colorectal junction was subdivided into four segments and the muscular wall of each segment injected separately with the tracer. The ferrets used as controls were also subdivided into four groups. The first group was injected with normal saline, the second group with the tracer following bilateral trunkal vagotomy, the third group intraperitoneally and the fourth group had tracer injection into the hepatic portal vein. The experimental as well as the control ferrets were allowed to survive for 24 to 96 hours after which they were anaesthetized and perfused sequentially with normal saline, buffered fixative and buffered sucrose. Serial transverse frozen sections were taken from the brainstem and the sacral segments of the spinal cord of the ferrets. These were then processed for WGA-HRP neurohistochemistry and analyzed under light and dark-field illuminations. The results of the study show that the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (DMX) supplies the anterior 3 segments of the colon while the sacral segment of the spinal cord supplies the post 2 segments of the colon.

Preganglionic parasympathetic vagal innervation of the pylorus: a HRP study in the ferret (Mustela Putorius Furo)

The brainstem origins of vagal preganglionic parasympathetic neurons innervating the pylorus was studied in the ferret using the Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) neurohistochemical technique. A total of 12 adult male and female ferrets (8 experimental and 4 controls) were used for the study (AU)

Effect of water extract of Coraili (Momordica charantia) on blood glucose levels in Sprague Dawley Rays [abstract]

Water extracts from the fruit of the coraili plant, Mormordica charantia, have been reported to have hypoglycaemic effect. The fruit of this plant is eaten as a vegetable by man. Significant lowering of blood glucose levels has been observed following the oral administration of coraili fruit extracts. However, some authors have shown that there are no beneficial hypoglycaemic effect from fruit extracts. In this experiment, water extract of the entire coraili fruit was administered orally to alloxan-diabetic Sprague Dawley Rats ad libitum for 7 hours. The rats were placed on normal diet during the experiment. Results showed that 7 hours after the administration of this extract, blood glucose levels dropped significantly. It was also observed that, 7 hours after the discontinuation of the administration of the extract in alloxan-diabetic rats, blood glucose levels rose close to the pre-administration levels. The implications of these findings will be discussed. (AU)

Effect of water extract of carica papaya seed on the germinal epithelium of the seminiferous tubules of Sprague Dawley rats.

Extracts from different parts of the papaya have been reported to decrease the testicular weight of Wistar rats when administered orally for 8 weeks. It was however reported that suppression of spermatogenesis was observed in these rats following the administration of papaya seed extract. No histological abnormality was observed in these animals. In this experiment, water extract of papaya seeds, was administered orally to Sprague Dawley rats ad libitum for 8 weeks. Results showed that 3 weeks after commencement of this administration, the lumina of the seminiferous tubules were more prominent and empty in the experimental animals with no evidence of spermatids and spermatozoa. It also showed that the lateral walls of adjacent Sertolil cells lost contact with each other.

Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine embryopathy in Wistar rats.

Pregnant Wistar rats received a therapeutic dose (0.72 mg/kg body weight) of intramuscular sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine on days 5, 12, and 19 of gestation. The treated animals showed elevated neutrophilic lobe average and increased urinary excretion of formiminoglutamic acid (FIGLU) as compared with controls (p < 0.001), confirming folic acid deficiency due to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine treatment. Complete embryo resorption occurred in the treatment group, while the control animals littered normally. These findings imply that sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine should be used with utmost caution in early pregnancy as this regimen can lead to folic acid deficiency and consequent pregnancy wastage.

Effect of intramuscular sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine on pregnant Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND: Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine preparations are used commonly for the treatment and or prevention of malaria in the endemic regions of Sub-Sahara Africa. Pyrimethamine alone has been shown to be teratogenic in rats, mice and hamsters, and others animals. METHODS: Pregnant Wistar rats were divided into three groups. The first group received a therapeutic dose of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (0.72 mg/kg body weight) intramuscularly (1.m) on the 5th, 12th, and 19th of gestation (3 doses). The second group received a similar dose on the 10th and 17th days of gestation (2 doses); the third group received the same dose on the 15th and 22nd days of gestation (2 doses). Controls for each group received 2 ml of physiological saline through the same route on similar days instead of the drugs. RESULTS: All control animals produced normal litters (average 5.6), but group 3a animals produced litters with no obvious congenital malformations (average 4.8). Animals in groups 1a and 2a produced no litters. When they were sacrificed, they showed implantation sites in their uterine horns. Histological sections of these implantation sites showed that the embryos had been resorbed. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic dose of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (0.72 mg/kg body weight) administered early in gestation resulted in complete embryo resorption in Wistar rats. The use of these preparations in early pregnancy in man demands caution.

Effects of folic acid deficiency in pregnant Wistar rats on the activities of D5-3 beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase in the ovaries of their litters.

Histochemical studies of the activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) and D5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (D5-3 beta-HSD) in the ovaries of 40 day old litters of Wistar rats whose mothers were folic acid deficient from the 13th day of gestation showed very weak or no enzyme activity. Biochemical estimations of these enzymes showed that the specific activity of 3 beta-HSD in the experimental animal was 20% that of control while that of G-6-PD in the experimental animals was 14% that of control. This implies that folic acid deficiency instituted at a critical period in gestation in Wistar rats adversely affects steroidogenesis in the ovaries of their litters.

Effects of intramuscular sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (fansidar) administered to pregnant Sprague Dawley rats on some tissue enzymes in the gonads of their litters

Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine preparations are antimalaria drugs which owe their efficacy to their antifolate properties. Folates are essential for DNA synthesis and their deficiency at critical periods in gestation have been shown to be teratogenic in variious animals including man. This experiment has shown that, when administered to Sprague Dawley rats at certain periods in gestation, the activities of some enzymes essential for gonadonal steroidogenesis, such as delta 5-3-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (delta 5-3(HSD), 17-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17 beta-HSD), and Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) were found to be significantly reduced in the gonads of their litters (AU)

Effect of water extract of the whole unripe fruit of Momordica Charantia, on the blood glucose concentrations of alloxan-diabetic Sprague Dawley rats

Medicinal values have been ascribed to Momordica charantia, a fruit commonly eaten in the Indian subcontinent and the Caribbean. The fruit consists of a green bark, which turns yellow when ripe. The bark covers a juicy pulp, which contains numerous seeds. One of the medicinal properties ascribed to this fruit, is its use in the control of blood glucose in Type 1 model of experimental of experimental animals. It has also been reported to decrease blood glucose concentrations in Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) patients. Extracts from different parts of the fruit have been investigated for hypoglycemic properties. Results of these investigations have been varied. In this study, the hypoglycemic property of the water extract from the whole fruit of the unripe Momordica charantia was investigated. Results showed that oral 'ad libitum' administration of this extract significantly reduced fasting blood glucose concentrations in Alloxan-diabetic Sprague Dawley rats (AU)