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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ability of ascorbic acid to protect the testes from damage in severe burns. DESIGN: Experimental study. SETTING: University of Lagos Medical School, Department of Anatomy. ANIMALS: 28 adult male Wistar rats (250-300 g). INTERVENTION: Third degree burn was induced on 40% body surface area of rats and they were given ascorbic acid at 4 mg/kg over 8 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURED: Weight of reproductive organs and epididymal sperm parameters were measured. Oxidative status was assayed and a semi-quantitative assessment of histologic changes was also carried out. RESULTS: Burn caused severe seminiferous tubular damage, especially germ cell loss (p<0.05). This was matched by significant reduction in sperm density and morphology (p<0.05). Burn also increased oxidative stress, with elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (p<0.01) and changes in catalase and superoxide dismutase enzyme levels. Ascorbic acid prevented the changes in all sperm parameters. It normalized MDA levels (p<0.01) and attenuated changes in the levels of catalase and superoxide dismutase. Ascorbic acid treatment also significantly reduced histologic damage to seminiferous tubules. CONCLUSION: This study shows that severe thermal injury causes significant testicular damage and impairs spermatogenesis. It also shows that ascorbic acid protects the testis from such damage and therefore has the potential to be a useful adjunct therapy during treatment of young males with severe burns.

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Testicular torsion is a disorder involving the scrotum that results in a compromise of its blood supply. The aim was to investigate the effect of Pausinystallia macroceras (PM) on testicular histology following torsion-detortion at different time intervals ranging from 1 to 4 hours 65 mature male Wister rats allotted randomly into seven groups (A to G; E& F further divided into 4-subgroups). Each group/subgroup comprised 5 rats. Testis maintained in the torted position (T) for 1, 2, 3 and 4 hours in Groups A (AT1+PM), B (BT2+PM), C (CT3+PM) and D (DT4+PM). Group E subgroups (E1+PM, E2+PM, E3+PM, E4+PM -) were sham operated, without torsion served as the sham control. Group F subgroups (F1T1, F2T2, F3T3 and F4T4) were torted as in A. All animals (except groups F & G) treated with PM extract (0.1 g/kg.b.w/day) for 56 days. Group G rats (normal control). Testes processed for histological studies. In AT1+PM showed preserved seminiferous tubules. BT2+PM, revealed varying number of necrosed and apoptotic seminiferous tubules. Group CT3+PM rats were similar to BT2+PM although with a slightly higher proportion of seminiferous tubules had undergone necrosis. In DT4+PM, sections showed few viable spermatozoa within the seminiferous tubules. When compared to the torted group F; showed extensive areas of seminiferous tubular necrosis (F3T3) as well as damage to the interstitium; while in F4T4 there were no viable testicular tissues seen. In conclusion, PM significantly prevented the cellular changes and cell death observed especially in group AT1+PM and BT2+PM.

La torsión testicular es un trastorno que involucra el escroto resultando en un compromiso del suministro sanguíneo. El objetivo fue investigar el efecto de Pausinystallia macroceras (PM) en la histología testicular tras torsión-detorsión a intervalos de tiempo diferentes que van desde 1 a 4 horas en 65 ratas macho Wistar maduras, asignando aleatoriamente en siete grupos (desde A a G, mientras que E y F se dividieron en 4 subgrupos). Cada grupo/subgrupo estuvo compuesto por 5 ratas. Los testículos se mantuvieron en posición torsionada (T) durante 1, 2, 3 y 4 horas en los grupos A (AT1 + PM), B (BT2 + PM), C (CT3 + PM) y D (DT4 + PM). El grupo E, subgrupos (E1 + PM, E2 + PM + PM E3, E4 + PM) fueron operados por modelo sham sin torsión, que sirvió de control. El grupo F, subgrupos (F1T1, F2T2, F3T3 y F4T4) fueron torsionados como en A. Todos los animales (excepto los grupos F y G) fueron tratados con extracto de AM (0,1 g/kg peso corporal/día) durante 56 días. El grupo G fueron ratas control (control normal). Los testículos fueron procesados para el estudio histológico. En AT1 + PM se observó preservación de los túbulos seminíferos. BT2 + PM, reveló un número variable de túbulos seminíferos con necrosis y apoptosis. El grupo de ratas CT3 + PM fue similar a BT2 + PM, aunque un porcentaje ligeramente superior de los túbulos seminíferos mostraron necrosis. En DT4 + PM, los cortes mostraron pocos espermatozoides viables dentro de los túbulos seminíferos. En comparación con el grupo F torsionado mostró extensas áreas de necrosis tubular (F3T3), así como daños en el intersticio; mientras que en F4T4 no hubo tejido testicular viable. En conclusión, PM previno significativamente cambios celulares y la muerte celular observada, especialmente en el grupo AT1 + PM y BT2 + PM.

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UNLABELLED: Bromelain, an enzyme extracted from the stem of the pineapple plant has been proposed as a treatment for reducing pain and swelling following acute muscle injuries but studies are yet to be done on its effect on tendon healing. This study therefore investigated the effects of bromelain on tenocyte proliferation and the tendon malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the early stage of healing in a crush injury to the Achilles tendon of Sprague-Dawley rats. Twenty four male rats were divided randomly into three groups; groups 2 and 3 had induced crush injury to the left Achilles tendon. Group 1; nil injury and nil treatment, Group 2; nil treatment, Group 3; oral bromelain treatment. Bromelain was given at a dosage of 7 mg/kg body weight daily over the first 14 days post-injury. On day 15 post injury, the animals were killed and the tendons excised and processed for histological study and MDA assay. The results showed a significant increase in the tenocyte population in the bromelain group; p < 0.05. There was, however, no significant difference in the MDA level. CONCLUSION: Based on this study, 600 GDU bromelain given once daily in acute tendon injury at a dosage of 7 mg/kg promoted healing by stimulating tenocyte proliferation.

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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.

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BACKGROUND: Males generally have few options for controlling their fertility and these options are far from being satisfactory. There is a great need for research to develop more contraceptive modalities for males. OBJECTIVE: The overall aim of this research was to determine the histological responses of the testes of Sprague-Dawley rats to aqueous extract of bark of Carica papaya using a single daily dose of 100 mg/kg and also to investigate if these responses are reversible or not. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty mature (6-8 weeks old) male Sprague-Dawley rats, divided into 2 equal groups, were used for this experiment. Group 1 rats were fed with 100 mg/kg/day of the extract for 4 and 8 weeks, while group 2 rats served as the control subjects. Each cauda epididymis of the rats was exteriorized, incised and sperm motility and count conducted on expressed fluid. The testes were harvested and processed for histological examination under light microscope. Phytochemical analysis was done to ascertain the main constituents in the extract, while the LD50 was conducted to guide in the dose of administration of the extract. A subgroup of the animals was allowed a recovery period of 8 weeks before sacrifice. RESULTS: The results showed that 500 mg/kg (LD50) of the extract of bark of Carica papaya produced signs of toxicity with mortality of 50% of the rats. The extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg caused histological changes ranging from seminiferous tubular distortion to outright destruction/ degeneration of the seminiferous tubules. In addition, the testicular interstitia of extract-treated rats showed disorganization and hypocellularity. The extract also caused a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in both sperm count and motility. There was no significant reversal of these antispermatogenic effects following a recovery period of 8 weeks. CONCLUSION: Aqueous extract of the bark of Carica papaya has deleterious effects on both the seminiferous tubules and testicular interstitium and deserves to be further investigated as a potential male contraceptive agent.

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OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of low- and high-intensity intrasound therapy (LITR and HITR, respectively) given once daily and twice daily on the morphology and oxidative stress in healing tendon tissue following an acute injury. METHODS: Eighty-five male rats, randomized into six groups were further subdivided into groups A, B, and C, except for Group 1 which was subdivided into A and B only. Groups 2-6 underwent an induced crush injury. The six groups were allocated to: serve as controls (Group 1), receive no treatment (Group 2), HITR twice daily (Group 3), HITR once daily (Group 4), LITR twice daily (Group 5), and LITR once daily (Group 6). Intrasound therapy (ITR) was commenced 24 hours postinjury and was given once daily or twice daily over the first 14 days postinjury. The animals in subgroups A and B were sacrificed on day 15 postinjury, and those in subgroup C were sacrificed on day 31 postinjury. The tendons were excised, and processed for histology and malondialdehyde (MDA) assay. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the tenocyte population between the HITR- and LITR-treated groups. However, twice-daily treatment in either the low- or high-intensity mode resulted in significant tenocyte proliferation compared with the once-daily treated groups, and also had the highest percentage of tenoblasts compared with the population of tenocytes in the proliferative phase of healing. All treatment protocols marginally lowered the MDA level. CONCLUSION: The role of IRT in tendon healing is influenced more by the frequency of treatment rather than the intensity of the delivered dosage.

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BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing intrasound therapy are often concurrently on NSAIDs. The effect of varied intensities of intrasound therapy with NSAIDs on tendon healing is yet to be determined. OBJECTIVE: The study investigated the effects of a concurrent admistration of low and high intensity intrasound therapy (LIRT&HIRT) with indomethacin (Indocid) on the morphology of the tendon in the early stage of healing. METHODS: Thirty five male rats were divided randomly into seven groups; groups 2-6 underwent an induced crush injury. Group 1, nil injury and nil treatment. Group 2: injury but nil treatment. Group 3: Indomethacin only. Group 4: LIRT only, Group 5: Indocidand LIRT, Group 6: HIRT, Group 7: Indocid and HIRT. Intrasound therapy (IRT) commenced 24 hours post-injury and was given alternate days for the first 10 days post injury. Indocid was given at a dosage of 0.4 mg/kg body weight daily. On the 11 day post injury, the animals were sacrificed and the tendons excised and processed for histological study. RESULTS: Indocid significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the tenocyte population when combined with LIRT but marginally increased it when combined with HIRT (p > 0.05). There was significant difference in the tenocyte population between the combined Indocid and LIRT and the combined Indocid and HIRT groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: High intensity intrasound given concurrently with oral indomethacin resulted in tenoblast proliferation and promoted healing in the injured tendon.

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The dermal ridges on the surfaces of the palms and the fingers form dermatoglyphic patterns which are phylogenetically stable traits useful for evaluating interpopulation affinities and distinctiveness. In this study, these traits were investigated according to traditional methods among the Ogoni people of the Niger Delta region of Southern Nigeria, considering the uncertainties surrounding the people's historiography and the paucity of morphologic studies on the tribe. The evidences of finger whorl pattern frequencies, Total Ridge Count and palmar A-B ridge count indicate the close dermatoglyphic resemblance of the Ogoni to tribal populations of southern Ghana. These findings have implications as to the likely provenance of the Ogoni people, providing support to the traditionally view among the people that their ancestors are migrants from some tribe in southern Ghana, West Africa.

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BACKGROUND: A steady weight increase disproportionate to height is by far the most prevalent type of body weight imbalance (overweight and obesity) in apparently healthy individuals of growing age. Many subsisting weight-reduction regimes or formulations are ineffective. Therefore, an effective and affordable weight-reduction product will add to the options available for the management of weight-related conditions. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of graded oral doses of methanolic seed extract of Momordica charantia (MC) on the body weights and cholesterol levels of male rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 176 +/- 70 g, were used for this study. The animals, divided randomly into 4 groups (A-D) received daily graded oral doses of 15, 25 and 50 mg/100 g body weight of methanolic seed extract of MC, respectively, while Group D rats had distilled water for 56 days. The weights of the animals in each group were recorded weekly throughout the duration of the experiment. Serum cholesterol levels were assayed from blood obtained from a left ventricular puncture. RESULTS: Treatment of rats with MC extract resulted in a dose-dependent, statistically significant (p < 0.05; p < 0.01) reduction in the body weight compared to control. The mean serum cholesterol levels in response to graded doses of MC in the different groups A to C also showed a statistically significant decrease (p < 0.05) from the baseline control value of 4.4 +/- 1.0 mMol/L to 3.4 +/- 0.7, 2.5 +/- 0.4 and 2.0 +/- 1.3 mMol/L, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Present study demonstrated that MC caused dose-dependent reductions in body weight and serum cholesterol concentration in male Sprague-Dawley rats. MC may, therefore, be useful in controlling body weight increase in individuals of growing age as well as be a potential agent in the management of overweight and obesity.

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BACKGROUND: The Pineapple plant contains the enzyme bromelain which has been acclaimed to reduce pain and swellings following acute muscle injuries as well as carotenoids and polyphenols which are powerful antioxidants. It is yet to be determined if these constituents are distributed throughout the plant and what effect they have on the healing of acute tendon injuries. OBJECTIVE: This study therefore investigated the effects of the aqueous extract of different parts of the pineapple plant on tenoblast proliferation and the tendon Malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the early stage of healing in a crush injury to the achilles tendon of Sprague-Dawley rats. METHODS: Forty male rats were divided randomly into five groups; all had induced crush injury to the left Achilles tendon. Group 1; injury and nil treatment, Group 2; leaves extract, Group 3; fruit flesh extract, Group 4; bark extract, Group 5; core extract. The extract was given at a dosage of 30 mg/kg body weight daily over the first 14 days post-injury. On the 15th day post injury, the animals were sacrificed and the tendons excised and processed for histological study and MDA assay. RESULTS: The flesh and bark extract induced a proliferation of tenoblasts which however was not significantly different from that of the untreated tendon while the leaves and core extracts reduced the population of the tenocytes. The flesh extract significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the MDA level while the leaves and core extract significantly (p < 0.001) increased it. The bark extract had no significant impact on the MDA level compared with the untreated tendon. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the anti-oxidant constituents of the pineapple plant are concentrated in the flesh while the bark and flesh extracts have the potential to promote healing by stimulating tenoblast proliferation.

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BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing intrasound therapy are often concurrently on NSAIDs. The effect of varied intensities of intrasound therapy with NSAIDs on tendon healing is yet to be determined. OBJECTIVE: The study investigated the effects of a concurrent admistration of low and high intensity intrasound therapy (LIRTetHIRT) with indomethacin (Indocid) on the morphology of the tendon in the early stage of healing. METHODS: Thirty five male rats were divided randomly into seven groups; groups 2-6 underwent an induced crush injury. Group 1; nil injury and nil treatment. Group 2: injury but nil treatment. Group 3: Indomethacin only. Group 4: LIRT only; Group 5: Indocidand LIRT; Group 6: HIRT; Group 7: Indocid and HIRT. Intrasound therapy (IRT) commenced 24 hours post-injury and was given alternate days for the first 10 days post injury. Indocid was given at a dosage of 0.4 mg/kg body weight daily. On the 11 day post injury; the animals were sacrificed and the tendons excised and processed for histological study. RESULTS: Indocid significantly (p 0.05) reduced the tenocyte population when combined with LIRT but marginally increased it when combined with HIRT (p 0.05). There was significant difference in the tenocyte population between the combined Indocid and LIRT and the combined Indocid and HIRT groups (p 0.05). CONCLUSION: High intensity intrasound given concurrently with oral indomethacin resulted in tenoblast proliferation and promoted healing in the injured tendon

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BACKGROUND: Brief periods of ischaemia followed by reperfusion protect tissues like the brain and heart from subsequent ischaemic episodes. Similar effects in the testis has not been adequately studied despite the fact that the testis is subject to ischaemia-reperfusion phenomena of clinical importance during testicular torsion. OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to investigate whether the testis exhibits ischaemic pre-conditioning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the first part of the experiment, 85 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups. In the first group, testicular malondialdehyde levels was determined as the control. In four groups, right sided testicular torsion was induced by twisting the testes and spermatic cord in a counter-clockwise direction through 720 degrees for 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes. Five of the animals in each group had testes removed for determination of MDA levels, while the remaining had torted testes de-torted and orchidopexied. After 2, 4 and 6 weeks, five animals in each group had the right testes again twisted through 7200 for 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes and de-torted. Animals were then sacrificed and testes collected for estimation of MDA. In the second part of the experiment, the above procedure was repeated except that intra-peritoneal melatonin 1 mg/kg was administered before de-torsion. RESULTS: Following retorsion after two weeks, MDA levels were significantly reduced from the control after 30, 45 and 60 minutes of torsion but not after 15 minutes of torsion. There was no significant difference between testicular MDA levels at initial torsion and subsequent levels following re-torsion if melatonin was administered at initial torsion. CONCLUSION: The testis exhibits ischaemic preconditioning which is abolished by melatonin.

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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The use of additional medicines by patients with chronic medical illness like diabetes mellitus is on the increase. We investigated the effect of fruit juice of Morinda citrifolia on blood glucose of diabetic rats alone or when combined with insulin. METHODS: Twenty adult male Sprague Dawley rats with body weights 140-210 g were used for the experiments. They were randomly allocated into groups of five, with five rats in each group. The first group, (Group A) served as control and received standard rat chow and water, throughout the duration of the study. Group B received noni juice treatment, after induction of diabetes, for 4 weeks. Group C rats received fixed dose insulin treatment (Humilin 70/30) in two divided doses, at a dose of 0.6 units/Kg body weight/day, following induction of diabetes, for 4 weeks. The Group D rats received fixed dose insulin as well as noni juice, following induction of diabetes for 4 weeks. We monitored blood glucose level by measuring fasting blood sugar weekly. The result of the experiments show that after an initial hyperglycemia, following alloxan induced diabetes, treatment with noni juice restored reduced blood sugar but euglycaemia was not achieved (Group B). RESULTS: At the end of 4 weeks of experimentation. The mean fasting blood sugar level of 8.0 +/- 0.8 mmol/L following combination therapy, in which insulin treatment was combined with noni juice for 4 weeks, was lower than when either noni juice 15.4 +/- 1.5 mmol/L or insulin was used alone (P < 0.05). 12.9 +/- 1.6 mmol/L. CONCLUSION: In this study, a synergistic action with insulin was demonstrated by fruit juice of Morinda citrifolia.

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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Erb's Duchenne paralysis constitutes the single commonest form of brachial plexus injury. Treatment intervention is mainly by physical therapy and surgery. Popular or conventional physiotherapy approaches include exercise therapy, tactile stimulation, soft tissue manipulation techniques and functional splinting. The role of electrical stimulation has been reported in literature but not without differing opinions on its efficacy in early resolution of infantile Erbs palsy. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of electrical stimulation and conventional physiotherapy in the early resolution of function in infantile brachial plexus lesion. METHODS: Sixteen subjects who were diagnosed to have Erb's palsy were assigned randomly into two groups; A (n = 8) and B (n = 8). While group A was treated with electrical stimulation, group B had conventional physiotherapy treatment. Both groups were seen three times weekly and the study lasted 6 weeks. Four functional variables measured include (a) Shoulder Abduction, (b) Elbow flexion, (c) Wrist extension and (d) Arm circumference (6cm distal to the acromion process). These were evaluated at the baseline (pre-study), 3 weeks into the study and 6 weeks (end of study) periods. RESULTS: Functional variables did not differ significantly among the groups at the baseline (p > 0.05), shoulder range of motion showed significantly higher increase in group A. At the end of the 6-week intervention, statistically significant differences, with higher increase in group A than group B, were found in all the variables. CONCLUSION: The outcome of this study suggests that functional electrical stimulation may be preferred to conventional approach in the course of rehabilitation for an early resolution of function in Erbs paralysis.

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BACKGROUND: A study of high school students attending a missionary school and a public school in Lagos was carried out to determine their knowledge and attitude about HIV/AIDS and to compare their sexual behaviour. METHODS: Self administered questionnaires, were used for the respondents, selected by multistage sampling and a response rate of 98% was obtained. The average age of the population was 13.6 years. There was no significant difference in the knowledge of students from both schools about HIV/AIDS. 90% of all the respondents knew the exact meaning of HIV/AIDS. Most of the students got their information from the mass media (66%) and the school (57%). Only 5% and 0.3% of missionary and public school students respectively were informed by their parents. RESULTS: There was no significant statistical association between the type of school and the occurrence of sexual intercourse. However, only 4% of sexually active missionary students used condoms compared to the 37% of the public school students. Condom usage was associated with the type of school (X2 = 1830; P-value = 0.0000189). There was also a statistically significant relationship between condom use and the age, sex and class of sexually active students (P-value = 0.00000006; 0.00000032; 0.00497073 respectively). 25% of the sexually public students had multiple sexual partners, compared to 2% for the missionary school students. There was a statistically significant relationship between the type of school and the number of sexual partners (X2 = 11.37; P-value = 0.003390). CONCLUSION: The study recommends that age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education (including condom use) should be made available to students from both schools.

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BACKGROUND: Driven by a desire to improve basic medical science education, the department of Anatomy in the College of Medicine University of Lagos introduced the Problem Based Learning (PBL) programme into the Anatomy component of first year Basic medical science training of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a students' assessment of the different aspects of this newly introduced PBL. METHODS: Structured questionnaires were circulated among first year Medical and Dental students in the School of Basic Medical Sciences of the University. Apart from relevant personal data that would not compromise identity of respondents, we sought to find out through relevant questions students' opinion about various aspects of the programme. The respondents had to grade their responses on a scale of 1 through 5 (representing strongly agree to strongly disagree) to indicate their level of agreement/ disagreement to simple statements designed as completions to a single stem statement. RESULTS: The class generally rated the use of PBL and the activity of the department in the programme high whilst also highlighting the areas of challenges where some major improvements needed to be observed. CONCLUSION: The established benefits of the PBL approach are reproducible even when implemented newly in a challenging and often times difficult environment in a developing country.

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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.

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BACKGROUND: Unilateral testicular torsion is a cause of bilateral testicular damage, which has ischaemic and reperfusion components. The damage may involve lipid peroxidation leading to production of lipid peroxides in the testes, including malondialdehyde (MDA). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the MDA variations in the ipsilateral and contralateral testes following ischaemia-reperfusion and the effect of melatonin. METHODS: Mature adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 13 groups of 10 each. One control group underwent sham operation. Three groups were subjected to right sided testicular torsion by twisting the testes 720 degrees counterclockwise for one, three and five hours; three groups were subjected to de-torsion following torsion lasting one, three and five hours; three groups were treated with intra-peritoneal melatonin (1 mg/kg) before torsion lasting one, three and five hours, and three groups were treated with intra-peritoneal melatonin before de-torsion following torsion lasting one, three and five hours. At the end of the experiment all animals were sacrificed by decapitation and testes were collected for MDA level estimation. RESULTS: The MDA level was significantly higher in ipsilateral torted testis than the control testis in all groups (P < 0.05), with the levels increasing with the duration of torsion. Detorsion significantly increased the MDA level only if the initial torsion was for less than three hours. Melatonin did not significantly affect the MDA level in the ipsilateral testis if administered before torsion, but significantly reduced the level if administered before detorsion. CONCLUSION: Malondialdehyde levels are altered in the both testes following unilateral testicular torsion-detorsion injuries. The reperfusion component of the injury is significant and may be reduced by melatonin.

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BACKGROUND: We have previously demonstrated that quinine is a testicular toxicant in Sprague-Dawley rat. OBJECTIVE: To describe the changes in the testicular levels of testosterone and lipid peroxidation secondary to quinine and ascorbic acid administration in rats. METHODS: Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats per group were assigned to one of three treatment groups: 0 mg quinine and 0 mg ascorbic acid/kg body weight (control); 10 mg quinine/ kg BW; and 10 mg quinine plus 0.1 mg ascorbic acid/kg BW. Rats were intramuscularly administered their respective doses of quinine five days in a week and ascorbic acid three days in a week for eight weeks. All the animals were sacrificed at the end by decapitation. Seminal analysis was performed on tubular fluid from caudal epididymides. Evaluations were made for testicular levels of testosterone and lipid peroxidation through malondialdehyde (MDA). Testicular specimens were also processed for histology under light microscopy. RESULTS: Quinine significantly (p < 0.01) increased free radicals (from elevation of MDA) and decreased testosterone in the testis compared with those of the control group and those treated with a combination of quinine and ascorbic acid. The semen of rats treated with only quinine demonstrated a significantly (p < 0.001) lower sperm concentration and motility compared to the controls and those treated with quinine plus ascorbic acid. Microscopic examination of cross-sections of seminiferous tubules also showed that ascorbic acid partially protected against quinine -induced testicular effects. CONCLUSION: Ascorbic acid has beneficial effect and protects against quinine-induced testicular reduction of testosterone.

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AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effects of 3 different traction weights on neck pain and range of motion/mobility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety subjects, 42 men and 48 women, with neck pain due to cervical spondylosis participated in the study. They were assigned into three groups, each of which was subjected to a different cervical traction(CT) weight namely: group A = 7.5% total body weight(TBW), group B = 10%TBW, and group C =15%TBW CT respectively. Pain intensity and neck mobility, pre-treatment and post-treatment, were assessed using visual analogue scale(VAS) and universal goniometer respectively. RESULTS: There was no significant difference(p < 0.05) pre-treatment, but existed post-treatment (p < 0.05) between the groups for neck pain and mobility. Nineteen subjects had reactions due to the CT application: 3,5 and 11 in groups A,B and C respectively. The least reactions were recorded with the use of 7.5% TBW traction and the highest with the 15% TBW traction. The 10%TBW CT recorded the most significant pain relief and neck flexibility/mobility compared with the 7.5% TBW and 15% TBW CT therapy. CONCLUSION: This study established the 10% TBW CT as the ideal weight with minimal side effects and with highest therapeutic efficacy. Therefore clinicians could adopt this weight in managing neck disorders requiring traction.

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