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Objective To determine the length of exposure to high doses of phthalate that might affect sperm quality in adult male Wistar rats. Methods Forty-two (42) adult male Wistar rats (weighing 150-200 g) were randomly assigned into six groups (n=7): Group A received 0.5 mL of distilled water - placebo - and served as controls; groups B, C, D, E and F received Phthalate (750 mg/kgbw) for 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 weeks, respectively. The data obtained from the study was expressed as Mean ± SEM with a p -value <0.05 considered significant. The data was analyzed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test using GraphPad Prism, version 8. Results The results showed a statistically significant (p<0.05) decrease in testicular weight in the rats exposed to 750 mg/kg of phthalate for 3, 5, 7 and 9 weeks when compared with the controls. Sperm count, motility and viability were also significantly ( p <0.05) reduced, while sperm cells with abnormal morphology had increased counts in the groups exposed for 3, 5, 7 and 9 weeks when compared with controls. Serum zinc and magnesium were also significantly reduced ( p <0.05) in the subjects treated for 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 weeks when compared with controls. Conclusions The dosage of phthalate adopted in this study was deleterious to testicular function when rats were exposed to it for as short a period as three weeks.

Diabetes mellitus is a common risk factor for erythrocyte osmotic stress. This study was aimed at exploring the effect of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus and salt-induced hypertension on osmotic fragility and hemorheological variables in male Wistar rats. Thirty male rats were grouped into five groups of six animals each as follows: negative control (zero salt in diet); positive control (normal salt diet - 0.3% salt); high salt diet (8% salt) (HSD only); STZ induced diabetes and normal salt diet (STZ only); STZ induced diabetes and high salt diet (STZ + HSD). At the end of a 4 weeks period, hematological variables, osmotic fragility, rheology and cardiovascular responses were assessed. There was an increase (p<0.05) in the mean arterial pressure and heart rate of HSD, STZ and HSD + STZ groups indicating a salt induced hypertension. There was a decrease in the body weight of STZ and HSD +STZ groups. There was significant increase (p<0.05) in the haematocrit, platelets estimates and fibrinogen concentrations in the experimental groups when compared with the controls. The STZ and STZ + HSD groups showed a reduced clotting time which corresponded to the increased platelet estimates and fibrinogen concentration. The increase in haematocrit, platelet and plasma protein resulted in the increased blood viscosity and a decreased flow rate. The osmotic fragility test was also observed to be increased (p<0.05) in HSD, STZ only and STZ + HSD groups. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension increase the rate of hemolysis of erythrocyte, as well as increase blood viscosity.

This study investigated the hepatoprotective effect of methanol seed extract of Citrus tangerina on liver damage induced by paracetamol in laboratory rats. Wistar rats were used in this study and categorized into five groups. Groups 1 and 2 received 10 ml/kg normal saline orally, groups 3 and 4 were administered 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg respectively of Citrus tangerina seed extract orally, while silymarin 100 mg/kg served as standard drug treatment for group 5. Following six (6) days of pretreatment with the extract, hepatotoxicity was induced with paracetamol 3 g/kg (orally) in all the groups except the positive control group. At the end of the experiment (24 hours after induction), blood samples were collected under diethyl ether anaesthesia for biochemical markers of liver enzymes and antioxidative stress and the liver was harvested for histopathological studies. Both doses (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) of Citrus tangerina seed extract significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the liver enzymes level, but significantly (p < 0.05) increased antioxidant enzymes when compared with the negative control group. Liver histology showed that the Citrus tangerina seed extract prevented hepatic injury induced by paracetamol. The methanol seed extract of Citrus tangerina possesses antioxidative and hepatoprotective effects.