Effects of Dracaena arborea(Dracaenaceae) on sexual dysfunction in 4 weeks hyperglycemic male rats

Objective:To investigate the effects of Dracaena arborea(D.arborea) on the sexual behavior parameters in experienced type-1 diabetic rats.Methods:Aqueous and ethanol(100 and 500mg/kg respectively)extracts of dried root barks of D.arborea.sildenafil citrate(1.44 mg/kg),trimethylamine-N-oxide(TMAO,20 mg/kg)and distilled water(110 mL/kg.were orally administered to 4 weeks streptozolocin-induced diabetic rats.Mount latency and frequency(ML.MF),intromission latency and frequency(IL,IF) and post-ejaculatory interval(PEI) were measured by ejaculating series during 90 min once a week for 4 weeks.Glycemia was determined at the beginning and at the end of the treatment Results:D.arborea did not show any major antihvperglycemic effects.Compared to the control group,a significant(P<0.05-0.001)increase in MF and IF was noticed in rats treated with sildenafil citrate(89.71% and 90.07% respectively),aqueous(500 mg/kg.88.08%and 88.749;respectively) and ethanol(100 mg/kg;89.53%and 89.17respectively) extracts of D.arborea after two weeks(series 1) of treatment.ML,IL and PEI were significantly(P<0.05-0.001) decreased after 4 weeks of daily treatment[sildenafil citrate(96.31.96.31%and 34.98%),and D.arborea aqueous 500 mg/kg(94.33.94.33% and 66.609;i and ethanol extracts 100 mg/kg(96.98.97.089;and 64.26%)].Conclusions:These aphrodisiac potentials of D.arborea in experienced diabetic rats could be due to the antioxidant and androgenic properties of phenols,flavonoids.saponins and sterols revealed in the plant extracts.

The methanolic extract ofGuibourtia tessmannii(Caesalpiniaceae)improves sexual parameters in high fat diet-induced obese sexually sluggish rats

Objective:To evaluate the effects of the methanolic extract ofGuibourtia tessmannii (G. tesmannii) on sperm parameters, lipid profile and testosterone level in obese rats.Methods: A total of 193 male Wistar rats were fed either with palm oil diet (n=185) or standard diet (n=8) for 16 wk. At the end of this feeding period, 90 obese rats were selected and randomly divided into 18 groups of five rats each and treated with distilled water (10 mL/kg), vitamin E (75 mg/kg), clomiphene citrate (2 mg/kg) or methanolic extract ofG. tessmannii (55, 110 or 220 mg/kg) for 7, 21 or 56 d. At the end of each treatment period, sperm parameters, lipid profile and testosterone level were evaluated. Data were analyzed using ANOVA for repeated measures followed by post-hoc Tukey HSD (P<0.05) for multiple comparisons.Results: Feeding of rats for 16 wk with palm oil diet significantly damaged sperm parameters. The methanolic extract ofG. tesmannii improved sperm viability, motility and normality after 21 or 56 d of treatment. The sperm normality increased significantly in rats treated with the methanolic extract ofG. tesmannii for 7 (110 mg/kg,P<0.01) and 56 d (110 and 220 mg/kg,P<0.05) compared to control group. Triglycerids, total cholesterol, low and very low density lipoproteins cholesterol levels were lower in rats treated with the plant extract for 56 d.G. tesmannii also significantly increased the high density lipoprotein cholesterol and testosterone levels in the plasma after 56 d of treatment.Conclusions: The methanolic extract ofG. tesmannii can improve sperm parameters, lipid profile and testosterone level in obese rats. These findings may justify the folkloric use ofG. tesmannii as a reproductive performance enhancer.

Laboratory Growth of <i>Anopheles gambiae</i>(Diptera: Culicidae) and Morphological Determinism of Moulting

Growth in arthropods in general and in insects in particular, is supposed to be discontinuous and occurs during moulting. In Culicidae in general and Anopheles in particular, the number of moults is five with the fourth which gives the pupae. It is known that moulting in insects is a genetic and physiological phenomenon. Most physiological reactions are triggered by chemical or physical stimuli. The pressure exerted by the growth of the larval body on the exocuticle is one of the triggers of moulting. The objective of this work was therefore to determine the exact timing of the first three moults that determine the growth of An. gambiae larvae from egg hatch to pupation to highlight the role of increased larval size in the stimulation of moulting. We therefore, undertook to rear larvae of this anopheline species in the laboratory under conditions close to their natural environment from hatching to pupation. The length and width of the head, thorax and abdomen were recorded daily. Data analysis showed that the size of the head and thorax remained constant for the first three days (D0 to D2) of development and abdomen’s length for the first two days and then increased daily until day seven (D7) when it stopped. These observations led us to say that the M1 moult occurs at end of the third day of development and the M3 moult at end of the eighth day;the M2 moult could not be determined. All these observations led to the conclusion that the larval growth of An. gambiae has a continuous regimen and the growth of the head and thorax of the larva plays a crucial role in the onset of moulting.

Neonatal Transfer Situation Following Implementation of a Perinatal Network: An Analysis in Douala, Cameroon

Background: Postnatal transfer (PT) is interhospital transport of care-needing newborns. In 2016, a perinatal network was implemented to facilitate PT in the town of Douala, Cameroon. The network was supposed to improve PT-related care standards. This study aimed at determining characteristics of PT five years following the implementation of this network. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from February to May 2021 at neonatology wards of six hospitals in Douala. Medical records of newborns transferred to the hospitals were scrutinized to document their characteristics. Parents were contacted to obtain information on PT route and itinerary. Data were analyzed using Epi Info software and summarized as percentages, mean and odds ratio. Results: In total, 234 of the 1159 newborns admitted were transferred, giving a PT prevalence of 20.2% (95% CI 17.9% - 22.6%). Male-to-female ratio of the transferred newborns was 1.3. Neonatal infection (26.5%), prematurity (23.5%) and respiratory distress (15.4%) were the main reasons for transfer. Only 3% of the PT was medicalized while only 2% of the newborns were transferred through perinatal network. On admission, hypothermia and respiratory distress were found in 31% and 35% of the newborns, respectively. The mortality rate among babies was 20% and these had a two-fold risk of dying (95% CI 1.58 - 3.44, p Conclusion: PT and the perinatal network are lowly organized and implemented in Douala. Sensitization of medical staff on in utero transfer, creating center for coordination of the network, and implementation of neonatal transport system could improve the quality of PT.

Oxidized palm oil impairs reproductive functions and architectures in female rats

Objective:To evaluate the effects of three oxidized palm oil diets(OPD)on female rat reproductive function.Methods:Forty-four female Wistar rats presenting five consecutive and regular estrous cycles were divided into 4 groups.The rats were fed with:a standard diet,70%of standard diet+30%oxidized palm oil diet(OPD1),OPD1+5 g of boiled yolk egg(OPD2)and OPD1+10%sucrose(OPD3)for 125 days,respectively.During the feeding period,morphometric,estrous cycle,sexual behavior,gestation,biochemical and histomorphometric parameters were evaluated.Results:All OPDs significantly increased abdominal circumference,body mass index and Lee index coupled to an irregularity and lengthening of the estrous cycle.They significantly decreased appetite and consumption behaviours,quantic pregnancy index,fertility rate,implantation sites and index,serum progesterone and high-density lipoprotein levels,increased pre-implantation losses,anti-implantation activities,serum estradiol,triglycerides,total and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels,and impaired brain and ovaries oxidative status.Histomorphometric examinations revealed increases in the number of atresic and primary follicles and decreases in secondary,tertiary,Degraaf,total and corpus luteum follicles in ovaries coupled to a neurodegeneration of hypothalamic anteroventral periventricular neurons in the OPD groups compared to the standard diet group.Conclusions:The three OPDs induce obesity and impair the female reproductive function,especially OPD2 and OPD3.These findings contribute to a better understanding of the adverse effects of palm oil bleaching on the reproductive function in female rats,which could be useful in the management of women with obesity-related sexual dysfunction.

Paediatric Mortality: Aetiologies and Predictors among Children Aged 1 Month to 15 Years in a Tertiary Hospital in Douala, Cameroon

Background: Children and adolescent mortality remains a public health concern in developing countries. This study aimed to describe risk factors and aetiologies of mortality among children and young adolescents at a tertiary hospital in the town of Douala, Cameroon. Methods: We carried out a retrospective cohort study from January 1st to May 31st, 2019 among deceased patients aged 1 month to 15 years admitted to the paediatric ward of the Gynaeco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital. Data of interest were collected and analysed. Results: Out of 3088 children admitted, 123 death cases were recorded. The overall hospital mortality rate was 3.98%. Females accounted for 51% of the deceased patients. Fever was the main reason for consultation. Severe malaria was the most common diagnosis. In univariate logistic regression analysis, factors associated with mortality included hyperthermia (OR = 0.24;95% CI 0.80 - 1.33;p = 0.012), coma/impaired consciousness (OR = 0.30;95% CI 0.10 - 0.88;p = 0.029), pneumonia (OR = 3.95;95% CI 1.42 - 10.97;p = 0.008), antipyretic therapy (OR = 0.28;95% CI 0.11 - 0.73;p = 0.009), and no medication (OR = 4.50;95% CI 1.05 - 9.29;p = 0.043). In multivariate regression analysis, coma/impaired consciousness was found to be the only factor associated with mortality (OR = 6.24;95% CI 1.15 - 33.73;p = 0.034). Conclusion: The present study reveals that most of death cases were due to preventable causes, especially infectious diseases. Efficient reduction in children and adolescent mortality could be achieved by adequately addressing these causes.

Cyclophosphamide-induced reproductive toxicity: Beneficial effects of Helichrysum odoratissimum(Asteraceae) in male Wistar rats

Objective: Cyclophosphamide(CP) is commonly used to treat some cancers, but its clinical efficacy is also linked with testicular toxicity. We investigated the effects of aqueous extract(AE) and methanolic extract(ME) of Helichrysum odoratissimum for reducing CP-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats.Methods: In addition to a normal control(group 1), drugs or vehicles were administered orally to seven groups(n = 5) of rats that had already received 4-weeks of pre-treatment with CP(5 mg/[kgád], per oral administration);group 2 received CP + distilled water(10 m L/[kgád]);group 3 received CP + 5% tween 80(10 m L/[kgád]);group 4 received CP + clomiphene citrate(0.25 mg/[kgád]);groups 5 and 6 received CP + AE(50 and 100 mg/[kgád]) and groups 7 and 8 received CP + ME(50 and 100 mg/[kgád]). Animals were sacrificed on day 15, and body and sexual organ weights, sperm characteristics, testosterone level and testicular histology were evaluated.Results: The CP-treated group showed a significant reduction(P < 0.001) in the body and seminal vesicle weights, testosterone level, sperm count, sperm motility and sperm viability, but elevated(P < 0.001)sperm morphological abnormalities and testicular structure alterations, compared to the control group.Interestingly, these detrimental effects of CP were reversed by treatment with H. odoratissimum extracts.For instance, both extracts and all doses of H. odoratissimum significantly increased the sperm count(P < 0.001), sperm motility(AE, 50 mg/kg, P < 0.05;ME, 50 and 100 mg/kg, P < 0.05) and sperm viability(AE, 50 mg/kg, P < 0.001;ME, 50 and 100 mg/kg, P < 0.001) compared to the CP group. H. odoratissimum also improved plasmatic and intratesticular testosterone levels and prevented histological alterations of the testes.Conclusion: H. odoratissimum might be considered as an alternative drug to alleviate/prevent reproductive damage in cancer patients receiving CP chemotherapy.

Aframomum melegueta prevents the ejaculatory complications of propylthiouracil-induced hypothyroidism in sexually experienced male rats: Evidence from intravaginal and fictive ejaculations

Objective: Hypothyroidism has been claimed to generate sexual dysfunctions such as ejaculatory disorders. Aframomum melegueta is an aphrodisiac plant with pro-ejaculatory properties. We investigated the protective effects of aqueous extract(AE) and methanolic extract(ME) of A. melegueta on the ejaculatory function of hypothyroid male rats.Methods: Forty sexually experienced male rats were partitioned into 8 groups(5 rats per group) and treated for 28 d as follows: Group 1, Control;Group 2, propylthiouracil(PTU, 10 mg/kg)+ distilled water(DW,10 m L/kg);Group 3, PTU + 5% Tween 80(10 m L/kg);Group 4, PTU + bromocriptine(6 mg/kg);Group 5,PTU + AE(20 mg/kg);Group 6, PTU + AE(100 mg/kg);Group 7, PTU + ME(20 mg/kg), and Group 8,PTU + ME(100 mg/kg). On days 0, 7, 14 and 28 of treatment, each male rat was paired with primed receptive female for measurement of ejaculatory latency time(ELT) and post-ejaculatory interval(PEI) for1.5 h. On day 29, each male rat was urethane-anesthetized and the spinal cord was transected.Thereafter, following urethral/penile stimulations and intravenous injection of dopamine, contractions of the bulbospongiosus muscles and the intraseminal pressure were registered. After these recordings,blood was collected through the catheterization of abdominal artery and plasma was used for thyroidstimulating hormone(TSH), prolactin and testosterone assays.Results: PTU-induced hypothyroidism was characterized by a significant elevation(P < 0.001) of plasmatic TSH and prolactin levels, but a decline(P < 0.001) in plasmatic testosterone, compared to untreated group. ELT, PEI, contractions of the bulbospongiosus muscles and the intraseminal pressure were also altered by PTU treatment. On the contrary, A. melegueta extracts elevated testosterone(AE, 100 mg/kg,P < 0.01;ME, 100 mg/kg, P < 0.05) and decreased prolactin(AE, 100 mg/kg, P < 0.05;ME, 20 mg/kg,P < 0.05) levels, compared to corresponding controls. With regard to DW + PTU group, prolactin concentration was lowered(P < 0.05) in rats administered with bromocriptine. Treatment with A. melegueta extracts significantly prevented the lengthening of ELT(P < 0.05) and PEI(P < 0.001). Hypothyroid state also altered the fictive ejaculation by increasing the latency and decreasing the number and frequency of bulbospongiosus muscle contractions. There was also a decrease in the intraseminal pressure. These alterations were significantly(P < 0.05) alleviated in plant extract-treated groups.Conclusion: This study highlighted the ejaculatory disturbance of hypothyroidism in male rats and its prevention with A. melegueta extracts.