Vol 18, No 1 ,2017: African Scientist

The female reproductive system is responsible for pregnancy and supports development of the fetus. The incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing rapidly worldwide (Wild et al., 2000). Metformin is an oral antidiabetic drug and it seems to have properties that could be beneficial in managing reproductive complications of DM. The present study determined the effect of metformin on pregnancy and fetal outcomes in Alloxan-induced diabetic female Sprague-Dawley rats. Eighty (80) pregnant rats were divided into four groups (20 rats per group).

A study was carried out to evaluate the changes in Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione peroxidase activities (GPx) in Allium cepa roots exposed to crude oil. Crude oil used in this study was fractionated in water (ratio 1 to 2) to produce water-soluble fractions (WSF) and water insoluble fractions (WIF). Allium cepa was grown in soil treated with 2%, 5%, 10% or 20% of Whole Crude (WC), WIF or WSF for 14 days, while the control was with distilled water. Antioxidant enzyme activity was evaluated after treatment for 14days using standard protocols.

The effect of consumption of cassava by products on the testosterone level and testicular morphology of Wistar rats was studied. The objective was to assess any changes in the testosterone level and histology of the testis. Male rats (n=28) weighing between 165g-260g were randomly assigned (n=7 each) into control group and experimental groups. Experimental groups were given the normal rat chow with inclusion of 50% cassava by product daily for 8weeks.

This investigation was undertaken to examine the phytochemicals in the leaves of sour soup harvested from five States of Nigeria. Standard methods for the quantitative assessment of the phytochemicals were adopted in the analysis. Results obtained indicated that the phytochemicals were in varied concentrations in the leaves from each of the States. The range of the concentration of alkaloid, tannin, flavonoid, saponin, phytate, steroid, phenol and oxalate were 4.08-2.11%, 30.20-10.50%, 1.52- 0.61%, 1.66-0.69%, 0.16-0.08%, 3.80-3.20%, 3.60–3.19% and 0.26–0.24% respectively.

Cisplatin is an established chemotherapeutic substance commonly used in the treatment of cancer. This study was conducted to examine the possible counter effects of Human Menopausal Gonadotropins (HMG) against testicular toxicity induced by Cisplatin in male rats. 20 adult male rats were equally divided into four groups; A, B, C and D which were the control, Cisplatin, HMG and Cisplatin+HMG groups respectively.

Dumpsite utilization for municipal solid waste disposal produces leachate which is a threat to groundwater resources. The study was aimed at determining the suitability of groundwater for drinking and domestic usages using physical, chemical and microbial indices, with a view to assessing the vulnerability of boreholes close to dumpsite to groundwater pollution. The results showed that except for pH and lead, the concentrations of other physico – chemical parameters were within acceptable limits of NSDWQ and WHO.

Estrogen and Progesterone are two major hormones of pregnancy. As soon as a spermatozoon fertilizes an ovum, hormonal changes begin in preparation for implantation and subsequent maintenance of pregnancy. The aim of the study was to determine if there are changes in Estrogen/Progesterone ratios (E/P) during pregnancy in different trimesters of pregnancy in Wistar rats. Twenty female Wistar rats were categorized into four different groups of five rats each. Group one (non-pregnant rats) served as the control.