To assess and compare the levels of arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead, in common seafoods (mudskippers, periwinkle and Shrimp) consumed in Rivers state obtained from different creeks of Rivers State Nigeria. Study Design: Commonly consumed seafoods in Rivers State: Periopthalmus barbarous (mudskipper), Pandalus borealis (shrimp) and Tympanotonus fucatus (periwinkle) were collected at 5 different occasions from each of the study location (creek): Eagle Island, Iwofe, Bodo and Borokiri creeks in Rivers State. Eagle Island and Iwofe creeks are in Obio/Apkor and Degema LGA respectively, Borokiri Creek is in Port Harcourt LGA while Bodo creek is located in Gokana LGA. Study Area: The study was carried out in the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University between the periods of June, 2018 – March, 2019. Samples of seafoods were collected from Bodo, Eagle Island, Borokiri and Iwofe creeks of Rivers State for 5 times at interval of 30 days between the periods of June, 2018 – October, 2018 during the wet season. Methodology: Periopthalmus barbarous, Pandalus borealis, and Tympanotonus fucatus were collected from Eagle Island, Iwofe, Bodo and Borokiri creeks. The samples were correctly labeled, dried in an oven at 80°C, ground to powdered form then sieved to attain homogenous particles. Each sample was weighed, recorded and the concentrations of metals in the samples were determined. Two (2) grams each of the ground samples were weighed and put into a beaker with 6mls of nitric acid (HNO3) which was added as oxidizing acid to break the sample matrix and 2ml of perchloric acid as a reagent with 2 mls of de-ionized water was added to blend it. The sample was place on a heating mantle at 105°C until the sample volume reduced to two third of its original volume, the sample color clear and turns yellowish and its entire component was digested. The concentration of HMs: lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury in the digested seafood samples were analysed using Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The concentration of HMs from the sample were determined from the absorbance calibration in parts per million (ppm) or mg/kg dw. Results: The bio-concentration mercury and arsenic in the selected seafoods from the creeks were below the World Health Organization permissible limits while levels of cadmium and lead in the seafoods in the order of periwinkle>mudskipper>shrimp collected from these creeks were above the FAO/WHO permissible limits of 0.5 1.0 mg/kg dw and 2.0 mg/kg dw respectively. Conclusion: Mudskipper, periwinkle and shrimp were observed to bio-accumulate HMs beyond FAO/WHO permissible limits. Toxicities of these HMs in humans could induce several clinical derangements and eventually death if drastic measures are not put in place to stop or limit these anthropogenic activities.

Aim: To investigate the alteration of some sperm proteins, anti-oxidants, and prostate-specific antigen in the seminal plasma of bacteriospermic infertile males. Study Design:  The study is a case-control design to investigate the semen parameters and some sperm proteins in infertile males with bacteriospermia attending urology or fertility clinics in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt. However, some of the Laboratory investigations were done in the Chemical Pathology Unit and Medical Microbiology Unit of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt. The Study was between the period of September 2019 and Feb. 2022. Methodology: A total 193 subjects were recruited of which 76 were fertile without bacterial infection, 24 were fertile with bacterial infection, 37 infertile without bacterial infection and 56 infertile with bacterial infections. Infertile males were further classified as teratozoospermic, asthenoteratozoospermic, and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic. HSP70, PKA, MDA, TAC, and GPX (in seminal plasma), PSA, and testosterone (in serum) were analyzed using ELISA while TAC was done using spectrophotometric methods. Microbial culture was done to isolate and identify bacteria in semen. Results obtained were analyzed using GraphPad Prism and SPSS. Results: Culture results indicated that 52% of normospermic subjects had no semen infection at the time of the investigation. On the other hand, infertile male subjects without semen infections had 18.7%, while infertile males with semen infections were seen to be 29.2%. Likewise, subjects with bacteriospermia as scanty growth had 12.5%, 9.3% moderate, and 7.3% heavy growth. Significantly higher values of HSP70, PKA, PSA, and MDA were seen in infertile males with bacteriospermia compared with control and infertile males without infection while significantly lower values were seen in TAC, GPX, OPN, and testosterone were observed in the infertile males with bacteriospermia compared with control and infertile males without infection. Conclusion: Bacteriospermia significantly increased lipid peroxidation cum oxidative stress leading to altered physiological sperm proteins in the seminal plasma. These alterations could also be responsible for the poor sperm qualities observed in the infertile subjects.

Aim: Infertility is a global problem affecting both males and females. It is a condition with psychological, economic, and medical implications resulting in trauma and stress, particularly in a society where there is a strong emphasis on childbearing. The study therefore aims to investigate the pattern of some sperm proteins, anti-oxidants, and prostate-specific antigen in the seminal plasma of infertile males with sperm cell deformities. Study Design: The study is a case-control study designed to investigate semen parameters and sperm proteins in infertile males with sperm cell deformities in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt. However, some of the Laboratory investigations were done in the Chemical Pathology Unit and Medical Microbiology Unit of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt. The Study was between the periods of September 2019 and Feb. 2022. Methodology: A total of 276 males indicated interest to participate in the study of which 193 male subjects were recruited. These subjects were grouped into normospermic males (100), azoospermic (40) and oligospermic males (53). Based on their sperm cell morphology and active motility, they were further classified into asthenozoospermic (40), oligoasthenozoospermic (48), teratozoospermic (26), asthenoteratozoospermic (32), and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (22). HSP70, PKA, MDA, TAC, and GPX (in seminal plasma), PSA, and testosterone (in serum) were analyzed using ELISA while TAC was done using spectrophotometric methods. Results obtained were statistically analyzed using GraphPad Prism and SPSS. Results: Sperm motility, TSC, and normal sperm morphology were poor in oligospermic subjects but were very severe in OAT subjects. Sperm proteins were altered in subjects with abnormal sperm cell morphologies. HSP70 and PKA were significantly increased while OPN, TAC, and GPX were significantly decreased in the seminal plasma of infertile males with abnormal sperm cells. Testosterone and PSA in blood plasma were significantly lower and higher respectively. Conclusion: Oxidative stress played a significant role in sperm cell deformities and fertility. OAT subjects were the most affected.

Aim: To evaluate antioxidants supplementation (selenium and vitamin E) on renal, hepatic and cardiac function markers in alloxan induced diabetes mellitus in Wister rats. Study Design: Rats were randomly assigned into 5 groups with each group consisting of 5 rats. The treatment pattern involved the induction of hyperglycaemia in the rats followed by oral administration of selenium and vitamin E supplements singularly and in combination. The groups are as follow: Group A: Alloxan induced diabetic Rats treated with selenium (0.02 mg/kg) for 35 days. Group B: Alloxan induced diabetic Rats treated with Vitamin E (70.0 mg/kg) for 35 days. Group C: Alloxan induced diabetic Ratstreated with both Selenium and Vitamin E (0.02 mg/kg + 70.0 mg/kg) for a period of 35 days. Group D:  Alloxan induced diabetic Rats without any treatment (Positive control) for 35 days. Group E: Rats in this group were fed normally for 35 days without induction and treatment (Negative control). Place and Duration of the Study Area: The study was carried out in the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria over a period of 9 months (January, 2019 – September, 2019). Methodology: After the inducement of hyperglycaemia in the rats (Group A – D) with a single dose intraperitoneal (IP) injection of 140mg/kg body weight of alloxan hydrate, treatment with the antioxidants (selenium and Vitamin E) was performed for 35 days. At the end of 35 days, the animals were allowed to fast for 18 hours and sacrificed. Plasma specimen collected was used for the assay of Na+, K+, HCO3, urea, creatinine, cardiac troponin I, LDH, AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin, protein, albumin globulin and MDA while renal, hepatic and cardiac tissues collected were used for histological investigations. Results: Significantly lower values were seen in Na+, K+, HCO3 and conjugated bilirubin in the diabetic rats without antioxidants supplementation (group D) when compared to diabetic rats with antioxidants supplementation of selenium and vitamin E (group A, B & C) and non-diabetic control group (group E). There were no significant differences seen when Group A, B, C and E were compared among one another. Also, significantly higher values were seen in AST, ALT, ALP, Unconjugated bilirubin, urea, creatinine, cardiac troponin I and MDA in the diabetic rats without antioxidants supplementation (group D) when compared with diabetic rats treated with antioxidants supplements of selenium and vitamin E (group A, B & C) and non-diabetic control group (group E). However, no significant differences were seen in LDH, total protein, albumin, globulin and total bilirubin at P=.05. Histological findings in the kidneys, liver and cardiac tissues of the rats treated with antioxidants supplement showed recovery tendencies compared to diabetic rats without antioxidant supplementation. Conclusion: Results obtained suggest that the use of selenium or vitamin E singularly or in combination has ameliorative effect on cardiac, renal and hepatic function markers in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. However, the combination of selenium and vitamin E had no synergistic advantage over the use of selenium or vitamin E alone.