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Background: The local use of medicinal plants in the management of reproductive abnormalities is a common practice in Africa. One prominent plant used in Nigeria for such purpose is Secamone afzelii. Aim and Objectives: To investigate the effects of Ethanol Extract of Secamone afzelii (EESA) on reproductive dysfunction induced by Aluminum Chloride (AlCl) in 3 male rats. Material and Methods: Thirty matured male Wistar rats equally divided into six groups were used for this study. Group I served as control, group II received AlCl (35 mg/kg bw), groups III and IV 3 received 35 mg/kg bw and 100 and 200 mg/kg EESA respectively. Groups V and VI received 100 and 200 mg/kg EEESA respectively. Doses were given once daily via oral route for 14 consecutive days. Results: The results revealed that, AlCl caused significant 3 decrease in final body weight, sex organs relative weight, sperm concentration, motility and viability, serum follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone concentration and Glutathione (GSH) activity, accompanied with significant increase in sperm abnormalities. AlCl also induced apparent 3 alteration in the histoarchitecture of the testis and epididymis. Treatment with EESA modulated the harmful effects of AlCl. This was proved by 3 improvement in the gross anatomical, hormonal and antioxidant activity of treated rats. There was a noticeable improvement in the histopathology of testicular and epididymal tissues. EESA significantly increased serum testosterone in a dose dependent manner. Conclusion: EESA is a possible ameliorative agent in AlCl -induced reproductive toxicity and 3 oxidative stress in male rat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The testicular and epididymal parameters of Sahel bucks in the humid zone of Nigeria was investigated. Twenty goats (30-54 months) weighing 23.48-32.03kg were used for the experiment. The scrotal circumference of the buck was measured. The bucks were then slaughtered and the testicles as well as the epididymides collected. The testicular weight, testicular diameter, testicular length and epididymal length were measured using a non-stretchable measuring tape. These parameters were correlated with one another and the values of the right testis and epididymis were compared with those of the left. The scrotal circumference was positively correlated with the testicular weight (r = 0.769, P<0.01), testicular diameter (r = 0.827, P<0.01), testicular length (r=0.671, P<.05) and the epididymal length (r = 0.664, P<0.05). It was concluded that the scrotal circumference is a reliable guide in the selection of the sahel buck for breeding in the humid zone of Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the effects of different extracts of Anthocleista djalonensis on the testis and epididymal sperms of rats., Methods: Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 10 groups (n=5 in each group) and orally treated with 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight each of methanol, aqueous ethanol (H-EtOH) and chloroform extracts of A. djalonensis. Corn oil was used as vehicle (2 mL/kg). After 60 days of treatment, testosterone (T) and cholesterol (CHOL) concentrations, catalase (CAT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in the testes along with myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities and nitrite concentrations (NO) in the serum and testes as well as sperm quality were measured., Results: T and CHOL concentrations along with 3β-HSD activity were significantly higher in the animals treated with the low dose than in those treated with the high dose of the chloroform extract (P<0.05). Furthermore, the chloroform extract was more effective than the methanol extract that had the most marginal effect on T level at the high dose and the H-EtOH extract that was only effective at the medium dose. LDH activity was dose-dependently increased by the extracts in all groups. The CAT-SOD antioxidant system was increased in the treated animals at all doses compared to the control values, but the increase in glutathione level reached significant level in those treated with the low dose H-EtOH aqueous ethanol extract (P<0.05). Only the high dose of chloroform extract had significant inhibitory effects on MPO activity (P<0.05). Serum NO concentration was decreased at all doses of the extracts. The inhibitory effects of the extracts on testicular NO concentrations follow this order, chloroform extract > H-EtOH > methanol. Although all extracts at all doses showed excellent stimulatory effects on sperm quality (count, motility and morphology), the methanol extract at the high dose was the most effective on sperm count (P<0.05)., Conclusion: The chloroform extract of A. djalonensis has better androgen-like and anti-inflammatory effects whereas the methanol extract has the best effect on sperm count.