Impact of Periconceptional and Gestational Vitamin D3 Restriction on Fetal Folliculogenesis and Anti-Mullerian Hormone Secretion Using Sheep as a Model.

Ovarian reserve is a reflection of the overall female reproductive potential. Vitamin D status has been suspected to influence fetal development and female fertility. As maternal diet during pregnancy can affect fetal development and future fertility, we hypothesised that periconceptional and gestational Vitamin D restriction could affect folliculogenesis and AMH secretion in the offspring.

Morphological features of the late-embryo-stage gastrointestinal tract of free-roaming light ecotype Nigerian indigenous chicken.

Morphological changes in the late-embryo-stage gastrointestinal tract of Nigerian indigenous chicken were investigated using anatomical techniques. The paraffin-embedded sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid Schiff-Alcian blue (pH 2.5) stains.

Pre-hatch and post-hatch development of the bursa of Fabricius in broiler chicken: a morphological study.

The developmental morphology of the bursa of Fabricius (BF) of broiler chicken was evaluated in this study using gross anatomical, histological, reticulin histo-chemical, and transmission electron microscopic techniques. The result showed that the short plica of the BF at embryonic day (ED) 14 was a mesenchymal tissue that contained cells, including mesenchymal cells and lymphoblasts. The organo-somatic index (OSI) of the BF peaked at ED 17, while the BF of ED 19 showed well delineated follicle-associated and inter-follicular epithelial (IFE) cells.

Light and transmission electron microscopic evaluation of the lamina epithelialis mucosae in the ileum of pre- and post-hatch broiler chicken.

Morphological development of the lamina epithelialis mucosae (LEM) of the ileum of broiler chicken was evaluated using light and transmission electron microscopic techniques. Ileal sections were collected on embryonic days (ED) 14, 17 and 19, as well as post-hatch days (PD) 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and 56. The result showed that the ileal LEM, which were poorly defined at embryonic days 14 and 17, consisted of enterocytes and some atypically shaped goblet cells.

Ameliorative effects of betaine and ascorbic acid on endocrine and erythrocytic parameters of sexually-maturing female Japanese quails during the dry season.

This study investigated the ameliorative effects of betaine and ascorbic acid on some endocrine and erythrocytic parameters in female Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) reared during the dry season. A total of 372 fourteen- day-old female quails sourced commercially was kept in cages for 56 days. After seven days acclimation, all birds were weighed and allotted by complete random design to four groups with 3 replicates per group.

Seasonal variations in the morphology of the seminal vesicles of the African straw-coloured fruit bat (Eidolon helvum).

The study investigated seasonal changes in the morphology of the seminal vesicles of Eidolon helvum in a typical African tropical environment. Seminal vesicles of forty-eight bats were examined during the early rainy, late rainy and peak dry seasons, using gross anatomical, histological and ultrastructural techniques. The interlobular connective tissue septa from the external capsule demarcated the glandular parenchyma into numerous lobules of tubulo-alveolar glands.

Effects of betaine and ascorbic acid supplementation on serum gonadotropin, testicular histological analysis and sperm quality in male Japanese quails during the dry season.

The study investigated the effects of betaine and ascorbic acid supplementation on serum gonadotropin, testicular histological features and sperm quality in male Japanese quails reared during the dry season. Two hundred and forty 14 day-old male Japanese quails, obtained commercially and housed in cages, were assigned randomly to four dietary treatments for 56 days. Each treatment comprised of 3 replicates (20 birds per replicate).

Antimalarial properties of SAABMAL (®): an ethnomedicinal polyherbal formulation for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria infection in the tropics.

Background & Objectives: Malaria is a serious problem in the countries of the developing world. As the malaria parasite has become resistant to most of the antimalaria drugs available currently, there is a need to search for newer drugs. This study reports the pharmaceutical quality and in vivo antimalarial activities of a polyherbal formulation (SAABMAL ® ) used as malarial remedy in Nigeria.

Natural antidiabetic compound for the therapeutic management of diabetes mellitus and its drug delivery system.

A single tablet dosage form containing the freeze-dried aqueous leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina (AD1), suitable for use in the therapeutic management of diabetes mellitus, has been developed. The compaction characteristics of the extract were studied using the Heckel equation. The mechanical properties as well as disintegration and dissolution profile of the compacts were also assessed.

Microbiological and mucociliary properties of the ethanol extract of Hymenocardia acida on selected respiratory clinical isolates.

The antimicrobial property of the ethanol leaf extract of Hymenocardia acida (H. acida) on some opportunistic respiratory pathogens was evaluated in this study. We also assessed the activity of the extract on tracheal mucociliary activity using murine tracheal mucus exudation and mucociliary motility in pigeons as experimental models.

The effects of combination of methanolic leaf extract of Azadirachta indica and diminazene diaceturate in the treatment of experimental Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in rats.

Objective: To investigate the effects of combination therapy of methanolic leaf extract of Azadirachta indica (A. indica) and diminazene diaceturate (DDA) in the treatment of experimental Trypanosoma brucei brucei (T. brucei brucei) infection in rats.

Microencapsulation enhances the anti-ulcerogenic properties of Entada africana leaf extract.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The antiulcer potentials of most plants still remain largely unexplored, despite their prospects evidenced by their use as ethnomedicine. Entada africana (Mimosaceae) has been widely used in Africa for the treatment of skin infections, wounds, tonic for stomach troubles and against diphtheria-like throat complaints. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-ulcer properties of Entada africana (EA) ethanol leaf extract and to obtain a novel multiparticulate pharmaceutical formulation (ACE) with it.

Studies on the possible mechanisms of antidiabetic activity of extract of aerial parts of Phyllanthus niruri.

Context/objectives: The effects of methanol extract of aerial parts of Phyllanthus niruri L. (Euphorbiaceae), an antidiabetic herb, on glucose absorption and storage in diabetes were studied to elucidate the mechanisms of blood glucose lowering and glycemic control in diabetes.

Methods: The effect of chronic oral administration of the extract on glycemic control was evaluated in alloxan diabetic rats using blood glucose lowering and post-prandial glucose suppression activities as well as effects on hemoglobin glycation and body weight.

The anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of the chloroform fraction from Phyllanthus niruri plant is mediated via the peripheral nervous system.

Phyllanthus niruri (Euphorbiaceae) is used folklorically for the treatment of diabetes, malaria, fever, diarrhea, liver disease, and urolithiasis. As an initial step toward isolating compounds effective against inflammation and pain, this study is aimed at providing scientific evidence for the anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antipyretic properties of the chloroform soluble fraction (PNF1) of Phyllanthus niruri methanol extract in rats and mice. Three doses of PNF1 [25, 50, 100 mg/kg body weight (bw)] were used.

Effect of iodine supplementation on thyroid and testicular morphology and function in euthyroid rats.

Seventy-five male weaner euthyroid rats, randomly divided into three equal groups were used to evaluate the effect of iodine supplementation in the diet on growth and spermatogenesis. From the age of six weeks, the rat groups were fed normal diet containing 0.05 mg iodine/Kg diet (A); normal diet supplemented with 0.

Testicular morphology and cauda epididymal sperm reserves of male rats exposed to Nigerian Qua Iboe Brent crude oil.

Potential negative effects of exposure to Nigerian Qua Iboe Brent crude oil on the reproductive system of male rats was investigated. Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the experiment. Exposure to Nigerian Qua Iboe Brent crude oil was achieved via oral administration of increasing doses (0.