Background: Gestational hypertension (GH) is defined by an elevated blood pressure (BP) at or beyond 20 weeks gestation in the absence of proteinuria in previously known normotensive women. It is the most frequent cause of hypertensive complications during pregnancy ranging from 10% to 17% of all pregnancies. These complications include pre-eclampsia, eclampsia and death if not managed properly. Despite being a major contributor of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of GH have not been fully elucidated. This study was designed to evaluate thyroid function in hypertensive pregnant women. Materials and methods:A total of 300 subjects aged between 22 and 40 years were recruited for this study.These comprised 150 hypertensive and 150 age-matched normotensive individuals as controls. Serum concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free tri-iodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assay procedure. Result:The mean value of TSH was significantly higher in hypertensive subjects when compared with the control (P<0.05). The mean level of FT3 was significantly decreased in hypertensive subjects when compared with the control subjects (P<0.05). There was no significant difference when the serum level of FT4 was compared between hypertensive and normotensive pregnant women (P>0.05). Furthermore, the serum level of TSH correlated

Pregnancy is a biological process whereby complex cytokine network play an important role. The phenomenon of pregnancy can be compromised by a number of complications, such as threatened miscarriage which could be as a result of cellular immune effectors. This study assessed the serum levels of pro (TNF-alpha and IL-2) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4 and IL-10) cytokines in threatened miscarriage in pregnant women within Owerri metropolis. A total of 140 women were recruited for this study; 60 pregnant women with threat of miscarriage and 40 apparently healthy pregnant women with no history of miscarriage, as well as 40 apparently healthy non pregnant women, who served as controls. Serum levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) alpha, Interleukin-2 (IL-2), Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) were determined using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay techniques. Data were expressed as median and analyzed using Mann-Whitney test and Kruskal Wallis test, while anthropometric data were obtained using standard methods. P values ≤0.05 were considered significant. Reproductive, medical information as well as information on lifestyle of the subjects were gathered with the aid of a questionnaire.

Glycation is considered to be the main molecular basis of several diabetic complications. Association between chronic hyperglycaemia and the development of long-term diabetic-specific complications have been reported but are yet to be completely understood. In this study, the effect of glycaemic control on pituitary gonadotrophins (FSH and LH) was evaluated in male and female diabetics in Enugu, Nigeria. Two hundred and twenty four (240) diabetic patients (92 males and 148 females) within the age range of 31 – 73 years, who were receiving treatment, were randomly recruited for the study. One hundred and thirty four (134) age- and sex-matched apparently healthy volunteers (44 males and 90 females) were recruited as the control subjects. The study subjects were grouped into three categories: Male population (40-72 years), Group A Female population (<50 years) and Group B Female population (≥50 years). The impact of glycaemic control on various parameters was evaluated by classifying the diabetic patients into 3 subgroups on the basis of their HbA1c levels:  Good (HbA1c < 7%), Fair (HbA1c 7 to 8%) and (Poor HbA1c > 8 %) glycaemic status. Fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, FSH and LH were determined for all the subjects. The results obtained revealed that the male diabetics had significantly lower (p<0.05) FSH levels when compared with the control subjects. In the two groups of female diabetic subjects, the FSH levels were significantly lower (p<0.05) when compared with their respective control subjects. The glycaemic control evaluation and correlation of HbA1c with the gonadotrophins in the male diabetic population show no statistically significant results. However, in the female diabetic population, subjects with poor glycaemic status show significantly increased (p<0.001) LH levels compared to those with good glycaemic control. In addition, in group B female diabetic population, HbA1c gave significant positive correlation with both FSH (r=0.261, p=0.014) and LH (r = 0.338, p<0.001). This suggests that there is a direct relationship between HbA1c and the gonadotrophic hormones. As glycaemic control is compromised, these hormones tend to increase. This study generally reveals increasing trend in the levels of the gonadotrophins across the different glycaemic status. It can be concluded that good glycaemic control of diabetes can exert better influences on pituitary gonadotrophins.

No abstract