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Background This study examined the ameliorative effect of D‐3‐O‐methyl‐chiroinositol, isolated from the stem bark of Piliostigma thonningii , on cadmium chloride‐induced osteoporosis in male Wistar rats. Methods Thirty‐six rats were assigned to three treatment groups (n = 12). Group A (2 mL distilled water), group B: (2.5 mg/kg b.w. CdCl 2 ) and group C: (2.5 mg/kg b.w. CdCl 2 and D‐3‐O‐methyl‐chiroinositol 2 mg/kg b.w.). Bone ash, calcium, phosphate, magnesium, and zinc content, as well as bone histological changes were determined at the end of months 1, 2, and 3. Results There were significant differences ( P ≤ 0.05) in the weight of the cervical, tibia, and femoral bones in all groups. The serum concentration of CdCl 2 was significantly different across the three groups with time. There was significant variation ( P < 0.005) in the mean bone ash across groups. The concentration of OH ‐proline was significantly different ( P < 0.0001) across groups. There were significant differences ( P < 0.0001) in bone calcium, magnesium, zinc, and phosphorus concentrations. Histology revealed high levels of bone mineralisation in the CdCl 2 ‐treated group, indicative of osteoporosis with hypertrophied osteocytes, while the femur of Wistar rats treated with D‐3‐O‐methyl‐chiroinositol showed bone trabeculae and viable osteocytes. Conclusion The study concluded that D‐3‐O‐methyl‐chiroinositol extract from Piliostigma thionningii stem bark ameliorated cadmium chloride‐induced osteoporosis in male Wistar rats.

This study aimed to determine the changes in the biometry of the ovaries, of the uteri and its contents in the Maradi doegoat during the three terms of pregnancy. Pregnant uteri from 28 female goats and their corresponding ovaries were used to study the biometric changes in the ovaries, gravid uteri, amniotic and allantoic fluids volumes, fetuses and plancentomes during the three terms of pregnancy. The results revealed that there was no significant variation in the ovarian weight during the three terms of pregnancy. However, there were significant variations in the ovarian length (left ovary 2.15 ± 0.16 cm; right ovary 2.10 ± 0.10 cm) and width (left ovary 1.77 ± 0.19 cm; right ovary 1.60 ± 0.10 cm) in the third term of pregnancy compared to the ovarian length and width in the first term of pregnancy. The uterine weight showed significant variation in the first term, second term and in the third term of pregnancy. The uterine length of both horns also showed significant variations in the first term (left side 31.40 ± 1.79 cm; right side 28.22 ± 0.98 cm), second term (left side 51.58 ± 4.14 cm; right side 50.51 ± 3.62 cm) and in the third term (left side 70.67 ± 1.76 cm; right side 80.38 ± 2.75 cm) of pregnancy but only in the third term of pregnancy was a significant difference in the lengths of the left side uterine horn (70.67 ± 1.76 cm) compared to the right side (80.38 ± 2.75 cm). The number of plancentomes was constant in both uterine horns throughout gestation; however the mean caruncular diameter increased progressively from the first term of gestation through the third term of pregnancy. The smallest and largest caruncles were observed on the ventral surfaces of the uterine horns, and the plancentomes were observed to be aligned in a linear manner along the longitudinal axis of the uterine horns. This study shows that there are differences in the biometrics of the ovary and uterus in Maradi goats compared to some other breed.

This study examined the possible protective effect of D-3-O-methylchiroinositol isolated from stem bark of Pilostigma thonningii on cadmium chloride (CdCl2)-induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats. The results show that the immotile, headless and sluggish sperm count decreased from Month 2 to Month 3 respectively in the CdCl2challenged but D-3-O-methylchiroinositol-treated groups, and increased in the CdCl2-only groups from Month 1 to Month 3. Cadmium (Cd) accumulated in the testes of Wistar rats and decreased sperm morphology including sperm count, sperm motility. It also increased immotile sperm count, headless sperm count and sluggish sperm count. However, in this study, D-3-O-methylchiroinositol which has a structural formula similar to the phosphatidylinositol phosphate with proven antioxidant potentials reversed these toxic effects by months 2 and 3. Histopathology results revealed that CdCl2 significantly reduced the volume of spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubules and resulted in reduced spermatogenesis however, amelioration with D-3-O-methylchiroinositol restored the testicles to normal spermatogenic activities.

The knowledge of the age at which the West African Dwarf (WAD) goat attains puberty could be exploited to improve this breed of goat and intensify production. The objective of this study was to highlight the postnatal developmental morphology of the uterine tissues of the WAD goat from birth to 28 weeks of age. Fifty WAD goat kids were obtained and grouped into 10 groups of 5 goats per group from day old to week 28. The uterine tissues of euthanized goats were dissected out and examined grossly. Thereafter fixed uterine tissues were prepared for light microscopy and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Histological images of the uterine tissues were captured with a moticam camera. The length and weight of the uterine horns increased significantly (P < 0.05) from birth to week 28 respectively. The uterine horn was shaped like a ram's horn. Internally, caruncles were prominent at birth and were regularly arranged in the uterine horn but irregularly arranged in the uterine body. Caruncles were absent in the cranial one third of the uterine horns. Histologically, the uterine horn and uterine body were similar. The endometrium was very cellular at birth without any form of glandular development, while the myometrium and the stratum vasculare were ill defined. Endometrial glands were first observed at week 1. The pseudostratified columnar epithelium of the mucosa at birth changed to simple columnar by week 12. The endometrium and the myometrium were well developed by week 12. In conclusion, the uterus of WAD goat at week 12 appeared similar to the uterus of an adult WAD goat indicating that this goat probably attains puberty earlier than the five -seven months previously reported.