Background: In recent times, medicinal plants has been explored for their ameliorating effect on Cadmium induced organ toxicity in Wistar rats. Aims and Objectives: This study investigates the protective effects of aqueous extract of Cyperus esculentus (tiger nut) on cadmium-induced biochemical and histological alterations in heart of rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty male wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups (A-F). Blood samples were collected from the animals after treatment with cadmium (10mg/kg body weight) and varying doses (150, 300, 600mg/kg B.W) of aqueous extract of Cyperus esculentus for 60 days for evaluation of antioxidant status and hematological parameters. Sections of the heart and aorta were examined for histological alterations. Results: Treatment with extract of Cyperus esculentus resulted in a significant increase (P<0.05) in superoxide dismutase, catalase and gluthathione peroxidase activities and a significant reduction in malondialdehyde level when compared to the untreated animals. However, the alterations observed in the hematological parameters were not improved on treatment with Cyperus esculentus. Conclusion: Treatment with medium (300mg/kg B.W) and high (600mg/kg B.W) of Cyperus esculentus reversed the histological alterations observed in the heart and aorta of the untreated animals. The study demonstrated that aqueous extract of Cyperus esculentus can protect against oxidative stress resulting from cadmium toxicity.

Gross and histomorphological features of fetal and adult adrenals obtained from slaughtered Kano brown goats at Obollo Afor and Nsukka abattoirs were studied. The specimens were div ded into groups AD for gestation day (GD) 86-102, 103-124, 125-146 and adults respect vely. The mass of the adrenals increased significantly with age. Microscopically, GD 86-102 adrenals comprised outer capsule, definitive zone (DZ), fetal zone (FZ) and medulla. By GD 103-124 they exhibited transitional zone with less dense packed cells when compared with outer def nitive zone. Full term adrenals had definitive cortex with zona granulosa at the early formative stage. The adult adrenals exhibited structures with typical zonation of the cortex. The width of DC increased while that of FZ decreased s gnificantly (P < 0.01) with increasing age of the fetuses. These results suggest that the adrenals of Kano brown goats undergo morphological developmental changes similar to those of other animals.

Background: Cocos nucifera (Coconut, Arecaceae family) is consumed as dietary fruit but little is known of it as sex enhancer. Objective: To investigate male sex hormones and copulation behavior indices in male Wistar rats administered husks extract. Materials and Methods: Rats were grouped into control A, and treatment B to E (n=4); and administered husks extract at varying doses: 125mg/kg, 250mg/kg, 375mg/kg and 500mg/kg for 48days by oral intubation. Copulation behavior was assessed by introducing female rats to males (1:1) in a rectangular Plexiglas chamber and monitored by veterinary Anatomists. Blood samples for male sex hormones were collected and assayed by ELISA method. Results: Copulation behavior (500mg/kg treatment): mounting (9.66±0.79 to 29.08±2.16), ejaculation (7.66±0.38 to 16.93±0.76), intromission (22.01±1.67 to 38.11±3.35) frequencies, and ejaculation latency (7.92±0.43 to 12.28±0.41) increased remarkably (Group E). Correspondingly, mounting (133.31±1.18 to 93.39±0.43) and, intromission (88.13±3.12 to 74.55±1.19) latencies; post-ejaculation (3.16±0.14 to 2.18±0.34), inter-intromission (19.48±0.26 to 14.32±1.65) intervals reduced significantly (P≤0.05). Testosterone levels (Group E) increased: 3.82±0.6ng/dL to 5.14±0.3ng/dL while, LH and FSH values reduced: 2.92±0.6IU/L to 2.13±0.3IU/L and 2.28±0.7IU/L to 1.58±0.3IU/L significantly (p ≤ 0.05) while changes were dose-related. Conclusion: C. nucifera husks extract improves sexuality indices by regulating male sex hormones in male Wistar rats. Keywords: Cocos nucifera; coconut husk; Coconut fibre; copulation behaviour; male sex hormones; mating profile; hormonal indices; libido; natural sex enhancer; medicinal values.