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Toluene is an organic solvent that is widely used in many industrial processes and commerce. It is one of the environmental pollutants frequently associated with occupational hazards. In recent times, young people are becoming more interested in toluene addiction as a result of intentional inhalation of toluene-containing compounds, which can result in high levels of toluene exposure that can be damaging to their health. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of subacute oral exposure of toluene on hepatic and renal biochemical profile (an aspect of health indices) of wistar rats. Fifteen wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups of 5 rats each. Group A (Control) received 0.5 ml of olive oil (vehicle) while groups B and C received 63.6 and 127.2 mg/kg respectively of toluene for 21 days by oral gavage. At the end of the treatments, blood samples were taken and the sera were used for analyses of serum biochemical parameters such as alanine aminotransferase - ALT, alkaline phosphatase – ALP, aspartate aminotransferase – AST, total protein, albumin, bilirubin, urea, creatinine and blood electrolytes (potassium, sodium, bicarbonate and chloride ions). Sections of liver and kidney samples were taken for histopathological examination. There was no significant (p >0.05) change in the hepatic and renal biochemical parameters of toluene-treated rats relative to the control. The liver and kidney histomorphology of the exposed rats were not different from those of the control. Oral administration of toluene, at the doses and duration used in this study, did not show any toxicity in the liver and kidney of exposed animals.

Aim: The study assessed the effect of oral exposure of toluene on male reproductive parameters. Methodology: Twenty rats (190±10g bwt) were randomly assigned to four groups (n=5). Group A (Control) was treated with olive oil (0.5ml), Group B received 31.8mg/kg, Group C received 63.6mg/kg and Group D received 127.2mg/kg. All administrations were by oral gavage for 21 days. Thereafter, the rats were anaesthetized and samples were taken as follows: Blood was used for testosterone assay, caudal epididymides was taken to analyze for sperm count and sperm cell char­acteristics while testes was weighed and prepared for histomorphology. Results: No significant difference in the relative testicular weights, epididymal sperm count, sperm viability, motility and morphology relative to control. Marked reduction (p = 0.001; group C & p = 0.018; group D) in testosterone level occurred in Groups C and D rats treated with 63.6mg/kg and 127.2mg/kg doses of toluene respectively. No anomaly in histoarchitecture of the testes in all the treated rats in comparison with control. Conclusion: Exposure to toluene by oral route may be noxious to male reproductive functions due to the reduction in testosterone level at higher doses.

Portulaca oleracea Linn. has a history of extensive use as a medicinal plant and is a component of the Nigerian ethnomedical pharmacopoeia. Although several studies have been carried out exclusively on the leaves to ascertain the physiological effect, there seems to be dearth of literature on the physiological effect of the stem. This study which was designed to fill this gap investigated the sub-chronic effect of oral administration of chloroform stem extract of P.oleracea (CSEPO) on haematological parameters and plasma activities of some enzymes (Alanine Aminotransferase - ALT, Alkaline Phosphatase - ALP & Aspartate Aminotransferase - AST) and levels of other biochemical parameters such as total protein, albumin, bilirubin, urea and creatinine in male wistar rats. Twenty animals were randomly divided into 4 groups of 5 rats each. Group A(Control) received 0.5 ml of olive oil(vehicle) while Groups B, C & D received 125, 250 & 500 mg/kg body weight of CSEPO respectively for 21 days by oral gavage. At the end, the animals were anaesthetized and blood samples were collected for haematology and plasma biochemical assay. No significant (P > .05) variation occurred in the mean values of ALT, ALP, AST, total protein, albumin, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, Packed Cell Volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration, RBC, WBC and differential leucocyte counts relative to the control. There was a highly significant (P < .01) increase in the total platelet count only at the dose of 500mg/kg in comparison with control. Oral administration of CSEPO as used in this study had no adverse effect on haematological and biochemical parameters. Secondly, CSEPO may be a useful remedy in thrombocytopenia, due to its potential to increase platelet count. However, further study is recommended in that regards.

Toxicity of toluene arising from solvent abuse, occupation hazards and environmental pollution has generated a lot of concern in recent times. Young people are getting more involved in the abuse of toluene by deliberate inhalation of toluene-containing substances which may result in high level of exposure to toluene. This abuse may have adverse effect on their health. This study was therefore designed to investigate the effect of oral exposure to toluene on haematological parameters using male albino rats as model. Twenty animals were randomly assigned to 4 groups of 5 rats each. Group A (Control) received 0.5 ml of olive oil (vehicle) while groups B, C and D received 31.8, 63.6 and 127.2 mg/kg respectively of toluene for 21 days by oral gavage. At the end of the treatments, the animals were anaesthetized and blood samples were collected for haematological investigations. No significant (p >0.05) variation occurred in the mean values of PCV, haemoglobin concentration, RBC and platelet counts in comparison with the control. There was a significant (p 0.05) change in the total monocyte and eosinophil counts relative to the control. Oral administration of toluene as used in this study may be toxic to health depending on the dose and duration of exposure.

Background and aim Decoctions and infusions from the aerial parts of Portulaca oleracea Linn., especially the leaves and stems, are used by traditional medicine practitioners in Nigeria to enhance fertility in humans. The scarcity of literature on the use of this plant for the said purpose as well as its efficacy prompted this research. Study investigated effect of lipophilic and hydrophilic leaf extracts of Portulaca oleracea on oestrous cycle, female sex hormones at various phases of oestrous cycle and ovarian and uterine histomorphology in albino rats. Experimental procedure Experimental animals were randomly divided into 7 groups of 5 rats each. Group A (control) received 0.5 ml 20% Tween 80 (vehicle), groups B, C & D received 125, 250 & 500 mg/kg of the lipophilic extract respectively and E, F & G received 125, 250 & 500 mg/kg of the hydrophilic extract respectively for 21 days. Oestrous cycle was assessed daily. At the end, blood samples (for hormones) and ovarian &uterine sections (histoarchitecture) were collected. Results and conclusion Both extracts had no significant (p > 0.05) effect on oestrous cycle, ovarian & uterine histoarchitecture and female sex hormones except at proestrus phase where significant (p, Graphical abstract Image 1047727, Highlights • Leaf extracts of P.oleracea at the doses used in this study decreased the anterior gonadotropins (FSH and LH) only at proestrus. • This shows that the extracts may have affinity for the anterior pituitary which secretes the gonadotropins. • Extracts may have deleterious effect on female reproductive system evidenced by the disruption of the hormones play at proestrus. • The finding can form a basis to refute the use of P.oleracea leaf extracts in enhancing fertility.

Background Previous studies have shown that cypermethrin has a teratogenic effect on rat feti born to exposed dam or buck with no information on its effect on their reproductive parameters at maturity. The present study was aimed at evaluating the reproductive effect of perinatal beta cypermethrin (β-cyp) exposure on female F1 generation rat. Methods Fifteen pregnant animals (day 0 = day of mating, average body-weight = 190 g) were randomly divided into 3 groups. Group A (control) received 0.5 ml olive oil, group B (15 mg/kg β-cyp), and group C (30 mg/kg β-cyp) by oral gavage from gestational day (GD) 1—post natal day (PND) 20. On PND 21, the pups were weaned and bred to 12 weeks of age (maturity). At maturity, 5 females were randomly taken from each group. The estrous cycle was determined for 14 days. Thereafter, the animals were anesthetized and blood was collected for hormonal assay (LH, FSH, estrogen, progesterone) using enzyme immunoassay. Results β-cyp had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on the estrous cycle. There was no significant (p > 0.05) change in the serum concentration of the sex hormones except the LH concentration where there was a dose-dependent significant (p < 0.05) decrease in treated groups relative to the control. Conclusion It is therefore concluded that perinatal beta cypermethrin exposure could have a deleterious effect on the reproductive development of female F1 generation rats, even at maturity.

Objectives: To supply scientific information / literature on the use of P.oleracea in enhancing fertility in males; either to validate or to refute this folkloric use. This study investigated the effect of the lipophilic and hydrophilic leaf extracts of Portulaca oleracea on male reproductive parameters. Methods: The extracts were obtained using two extracting solvents – chloroform and 80% aqueous methanol in succession. Experimental animals were randomly divided into 7 groups of 16 rats each. Group A (control) received 0.5ml 20% Tween 80 (vehicle), groups B, C and D received 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg of the lipophilic extract respectively and E, F and G received 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg of the hydrophilic extract respectively for 60 days. On days 14, 28, 42 and 60; four rats from each group were weighed and anaesthetized for sample collection. Blood (for testosterone), testes (weight and histomorphology) and sperm cells from caudal epididymis (for semen analysis) were collected. Results: Both extracts had no significant (p>0.05) effect on testicular weight and histomorphology, and sperm cell characteristics but caused a significant (p