Vanillic acid and vitamin C attenuated di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate-induced testicular toxicity in adult male rats.

Abstract: Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is an extensively used plasticizer which has raised some concerns about its safety on human health. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of vanillic acid (VA) and vitamin C (VC) supplementation on DEHP-induced testicular toxicity. Thirty-five adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 7 groups (A-G) (n = 5) receiving distilled water; 250 mg/kg bw of DEHP only; 30 mg/kg bw of VA and 250 mg/kg bw of DEHP; 30 mg/kg bw of VC and 250 mg/kg bw of DEHP; 30 mg/kg bw of DEHP plus 30 mg/kg bw of VA and 30 mg/kg bw of VC; 30 mg/kg bw of VA only; and 30 mg/kg bw of VC only, respectively. At the end of the experiment, blood was taken from the heart via cardiac puncture and stored, semen was collected from the caudal epididymis for immediate sperm analysis, while the testes were excised and preserved for histological examination and biochemical analysis. The results showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in body weights, sperm motility, sperm volume, sperm viability and count, antioxidant levels, and reproductive hormonal levels, with a significant increase (P < 0.05) in sperm morphological defect and lipid peroxidation level in DEHP-only group compared with the control but was ameliorated after VA and VC administration compared to the DEHP-only treated animals. VA and VC supplementation attenuated the toxic effects of DEHP on the testicular functions, morphology, and semen characterization of the experimental adult male Wistar rats. Lay summary: Male infertility is considered when identifiable female causes of infertility are excluded and semen quantity and quality fail to fulfil World Health Organization criteria. From conception through to adulthood, people are exposed to limitless environmental toxicants among which di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) commonly found in personal care products, cosmetics, and medical devices is prevalent. The present study elaborated on the importance of taking antioxidant-rich foods containing vitamin C and vanillic acid, such as those found in various fruits, olives, whole wheat, and cereal grains, in combating infertility caused by environmental toxicants. An experiment was carried out on rats to see the effect of vanillic acid and vitamin C supplementation on preventing DEHP-induced testicular toxicity. The testicles and semen were analyzed from five rats in each treated and control groups. The data led us to conclude that vanillic acid and vitamin C supplementation do have attenuating effects on DEHP-induced testicular toxicity, due to their high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Prenatal exposure of bonny light crude oil induces embryotoxicity, impaired cognitive functions and cortico-hippocampal neurodegeneration on fetal outcomes of pregnant sprague-dawley rats.

The low Sulfur level, heavy metals and easy production rate of Bonny Light Crude Oil (BLCO) makes it one of Nigeria's most explored oil. This study investigated the memory impairments, embryotoxicity and cortico-hippocampal neurodegeneration induced by prenatal exposure to BLCO of pregnant Sprague-Dawley (S-D) rats. Twenty pregnant rats were divided into 4 groups (A-D) of 5 rats each. Group A received normal saline as placebo. Group B-D received oral doses of BLCO at 0.73 ml/kg, 2 ml/kg and 3.8 ml/kg on pregnancy day 8-12.5 respectively. The pregnant rats were allowed to litter and nurse their pups. At 6 weeks postnatal life, twelve (12) selected young rats (n = 12) were accessed for behavioral study (Y-maze) and then sacrificed for biochemical and histological analysis. The results showed spontaneous abortion, still births and significantly reduced number of live births in the high dose group of BLCO compared to control. Length of gestation was significantly increased in the high dose group when compared to the control. CAT levels reduced significantly with concomitant increase in 8-OHdG among BLCO treated groups compared to control. Spontaneous alteration and number of arm entries decreased in the BLCO groups in comparison to control. Histological observation showed reduced cellular size, chromatolysis and presence of extracellular senile plaques in the prefrontal cortex and mild histological changes in the hippocampus architecture in the BLCO treated groups compared to the control. BLCO is capable of inducing embryotoxicity, impair cognition and cortico-hippocampal neurodegeneration.

Assessing the risk of birth defects associated with exposure to fixed-dose combined antituberculous agents during pregnancy in rats.

Due to the risks of disease progression and transmission to the newborn, treatment of tuberculosis is often pursued during pregnancy and fixed-dose combined antituberculous agents have been found to be beneficial. Unfortunately, there is paucity of data on the safety of the fixed-dose combined antituberculous drugs during pregnancy. This study intends to assess the teratogenic effect of fixed-dose combined antituberculous drugs on the organogenesis stage of fetal development and also investigate the possible roles of vitamin C in modulating the teratogenic effects of these agents on the fetus using animal model. Pregnant rats were divided into 3 groups with 12 animals per group: group 1 received distilled water (10 mL/kg) orally; group 2 received 51.4 mg/kg/day of fixed-dose combined antituberculous agents orally; group 3 received 51.4 mg/kg/day of fixed-dose combined antituberculous agents plus vitamin C (10 mg/kg/day) orally. Six rats in each group were randomly selected and sacrificed on day 20 by cervical dislocation prior to day 21 of gestation, and the foetuses were harvested through abdominal incision for physical examination. Blood samples were collected from the 1st filial rats of the remaining six animals for biochemical and hematological examination. The liver, kidney, heart, and brain of all the sacrificed animals were used for histopathological examination. There were significant (P ≤ 0.05) low birth weights of the foetuses of the animals that were treated with fixed-dose combined antituberculous agents. The haematological parameters also revealed a reduction in the platelets counts and neutrophiles at the first filial generation. Significant (P ≤ 0.05) elevations in the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the foetuses of the animals treated with fixed-dose combined antituberculous agents were also observed. However, the combination of vitamin C with fixed-dose combined antituberculous agents significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced the level of AST. Fixed-dose combined antituberculous agents have teratogenic potential as shown in low birth weight and mild liver damage in the first filial of the treated animals. As much as it is imminent to treat TB patients in pregnancy, there is need to always exercise caution and clinically weigh the risk-benefit ratio.

The antifertility effect of amodiaquine hydrochloride.

BACKGROUND: A number of antimalarial compounds and herbs have been reported to possess antifertility actions. Amodiaquine (AQ) belongs to the same class of drugs as chloroquine. Chloroquine has been reported to disrupt the oestrus cycle, block ovulation and consequently reduce fertility. OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to investigate the effect of the administration of amodiaquine hydrochloride (AQ.HCl) on fertility in the adult cyclic Sprague-Dawley rats. METHODS: Thirty cycling female albino rats of Sprague-Dawley strain weighing 120 g were used in this experiment. They were divided into six experimental groups. Groups 1A, 1B and 1C- received peroral (p.o.) 6 mg/kg bw of AQ.HCl, 12 mg/kg bw of AQ.HCl and distilled water for 28 days respectively to determine the effect of AQ.HCl on the oestrous cycle. Groups 2A, 2B and 2C- received a single dose p.o. of 6 mg/kg bw of AQ.HCl, 12 mg/kg bw of AQ.HCl and distilled water at 9 a.m. on proestrus respectively to determine the effect of AQ.HCl on ovulation and the serum concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolatin (PRL). RESULTS: AQ.HCl disrupted the oestrous cycle by producing a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the diestrus phase and a reduction in the other phases when compared with the control. A significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the number of ova shed on estrus was observed however, there was no significant difference in the serum concentrations of FSH, LH and PRL when compared with the control. CONCLUSION: Oral administration of AQ.HCl distrupts the oestrous cycle and ovulation by increasing the frequency of the diestrus phase and reducing the number of ova released at ovulation respectively. These events may negatively affect fertility in females of reproductive age.

Effect of methanolic extract of Neem leaf (Azadirachta indica) on ovarian histology and hormonal milleu.

BACKGROUND: Extract of neem leaves is commonly consumed as an antimalarial therapy. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate the effect of methanolic extract of neem leaves on the histology of the ovary and also on serum levels of FSH and LH in female Wistar rats. METHODS: A total of eighteen (18) rats weighing 110g-150g were used. They were randomly divided into three groups (A, B, and C) of six rats each. Group A: served as control and received distilled water equivalent in volume to the test extract. Group B: was treated with 200mg/kg of the methanolic extract of neem leaves. Group C: received 400mg/kg of the methanolic extract of neem leaves. Administration was by gavage and lasted for a period of 14 days. RESULTS: Histological sections of the experimental groups revealed no histopathological features. No statistically significant difference was observed in the serum levels of FSH in the treated groups. However, serum levels of LH were significantly reduced when compared with the control. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that extract of neem leaves may affect fertility adversely by reducing serum levels of LH and subsequently, the release of ova during ovulation.

The distribution of hair on the phalanges of a sample population of Nigerian Yorubas in relation to sex, age and job type.

Five hundred adults aged between 18-35 years were used for the study. The aim of this study was to provide a reference document for Nigerians on the distribution of phalangeal hair using a sample population of Yorubas resident in Ilorin and to assess the effect of job type, age and sex hair distribution. With the help of a hand lens, the pattern and frequency of hair distribution on the proximal, intermediate and distal were randomly chosen from the population. Proximal phalangeal hair was absent in 10 (2%) individuals who were all males. The highest frequency distribution (51%) was found on the 2-3-4-5, digits of proximal phalanges (26% in males and 25% females) while the least (1%) was the 3-5; 1-2-3-5 digital pattern. It was observed that the frequency of middle phalangeal hair was low (1%). Females had less phalangeal hair. Hair was absent on the distal phalanges. Distribution is similar to other populations reported. Age was not a factor in the distribution but individual's job type and sex had effect on hair distribution. Hence people engaged in wet work should wear gloves.

Antifertility potential of Neem flower extract on adult female Sprague-Dawley rats.

BACKGROUND: The search for a relatively cheap, widely available, widely accepted and effective contraceptive of plant origin; that is equally non-invasive in administration, non-hormonal in action, non-toxic and that is relatively long-acting, generated our interest in this study (in order to meet the increasing need for population control). The aim of this study was to determine the effects of alcoholic extract of Neem flowers on the estrous cycle, ovulation, fertility and foetal morphology of cyclic adult Sprague-Dawley rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing between 140-180 g were used. There were 3 main experimental groups. Group 1 rats received 1 g/kg of alcoholic extract of Neem flower by gavage for 3 weeks and the effect on estrous cycle studied. Group 2 rats were administered 1 g/kg of Neem flower alcoholic extract at 9 a.m. and at 6 p.m. on proestrus and the effect on the number of ova shed on the morning of estrus observed. Rats in Group 3 were treated with 1 g/kg of alcoholic extract of Neem flower on days 1 to 5 postcoitum, and observation was made for anti-implantation / abortifacient effects and possible teratogenic effects on the foetuses. All the groups were control-matched. RESULTS: The estrous cycle of 80% of the rats was altered with a marked prolongation of the diestrus phase. Neem flower caused a statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the number of ova shed in the morning of estrus in rats fed with the extract at 9 a.m. on proestrus. Neither anti-implantation / abortifacient nor teratogenic effect was observed in the rats treated with Neem flower. CONCLUSION: Administration of alcoholic extract of Neem flower disrupted the estrous cycle in Sprague-Dawley rats and caused a partial block in ovulation and thus has the potential of being developed into a female contraceptive.