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Background: Cranial capacity is used as a measure of brain volume and has a relationship with age and gender. The purpose of this study was to provide normative data and population-, age-and gender-specific regression formulae related to cranial capacity using head dimensions among the Ukwuani people of Nigeria.Methods: This study included 605 subjects grouped according to age as follows: 6-12 years, 13-19 years and ≥20 years. A cross-sectional study design using multistage sampling technique was adopted. Head length, head width, and auricular head height were measured in centimetres using a spreading caliper, and cranial capacity was calculated. The data were analysed using SPSS 20. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied. A t-test was used to identify significant gender differences. Regression analyses were performed to derive age-, gender-and population-specific models. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant.Results: In all the parameters, males had significantly higher values than females (P < 0.05). The mean (SD) cranial capacity values at 6-12 years, 13-19 years and ≥20 years were 1176.95 (98.35) cc, 1288.59 (113.21) cc and 1408.90 (116.44) cc, respectively.Conclusions: All the parameters exhibited sexual dimorphism. Cranial capacity was found to increase with age. The models derived in this work will be relevant to population and growth studies as well as forensic anthropology.

Background: The exposure of male individual to environmental toxicant is regarded as a channel that results in reduced sperm counts and infertility. Objective: This study investigated the ameliorative response of Sulforaphane (SFN) on Aluminum trichloride (AlCl3) induced testicular toxicity in adult male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: A total of 32 adult male Wistar rats (180-200 gm between 8-10 wk) were divided into four groups (n = 8/each). Group A) received distilled water orally as placebo; Group B) received 100 mg/kgbw AlCl3 only orally; Group C) received 100 mg/kgbw AlCl3 and 100 mg/kgbw SFN orally; and Group D) received 100 mg/kgbw SFN only orally. After 28 days of experiment, animals underwent cervical dislocation, blood serum was obtained for analysis, and testes were harvested for biochemical assays, histology, hormonal profile, and sperm characterization. Results: The sperm parameters showed a significant difference within the AlCl3 only group compared with the control and SFN only groups (p = 0.02). However, AlCl3 and SFN co-treatment showed improvement in the motility, viability, and sperm count compared with the AlCl3 only group (p = 0.02). Furthermore, there was a significant decline in the levels of hormones profile and antioxidant status in AlCl3 only group compared to the control and SFN only (p = 0.02). The testicular histoarchitecture of the AlCl3 only group showed shrinkage of seminiferous tubules, spermatogenesis disruption, and empty lumen compared to the control and SFN only groups. Conclusion: The present study revealed the ameliorative response of SFN on AlCl3-induced testicular toxicity on serum hormone profiles, antioxidant status, lipid peroxidation, and histomorphometric analysis through oxidative stress. Key words: Sulforaphane, Aluminum trichloride, Oxidative stress, Testis, Histology.

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Pyrethroids are synthetic compounds chemically derived from the natural pyrethrins which are the insecticidal components of the pyrethrum extracts of chrysanthemum flower. The aim of this study was to investigate the toxicological effects of pyrethroid insecticide "Mortein" (M) on the bone marrow and spleen of adult Wistar rats. Twenty five adult rats (150-200g) were purchased from the animal facility of the College of Health Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka and assigned into five groups (n = 5). Groups I, II and III were treated orally with 2250mg/kg of Mortein insecticide suspended in olive oil once daily for 7, 21 and 40 days respectively. Groups IV and V were administered tap water and olive oil respectively, once daily throughout the duration of experiment. At the end of each respective durational treatment, the rats were euthanized. The spleen and bones were harvested and processed for histological analysis using standard techniques. The resultant sections were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and analyzed with the aid of a light microscope for histological changes. Histological examination of the bone marrow of the treated rats revealed extensive congestion that was time dependent as well as hypo cellularity when compared to the oil and normal control groups. The rats" spleens were markedly congested and there were intra-parenchyma hemorrhages of varying degrees compared to the rats of control groups. M insecticide at the dosage considered, was highly toxic to both spleen and bone marrows of rats for the different durations considered and the effects observed were time-dependent.