The possible effect of Croton zambesicus administration on vital organs has been less investigated despite its extensive traditional use in tropical Africa. We therefore aim at elucidating the effect of ethanolic extract on the testes. The aqueous fraction of ethanolic leaf extract of C. zambesicus (5 and 10 mg/Kg body weight) was administered to verify its effect on sperm concentration, sperm motility, sperm progessivity, malondialdehyde and catalase activities for a period of five consecutive days. The result showed that there is a significant increase in sperm production, sperm motility and sperm progressivity in the treated group when compared with the control; while there was a reduction in malondialdehyde and catalase activity in all the treated groups. The slight increase in the weight of the measured parameters also indicated the positive effect of the extract in the normal metabolic activities in the treated groups. This investigation has shown that the leaf extract possesses promising profertility property which can be exploited in fertility therapy.

SUMMARY:Varicoceles are abnormal tortuosity and dilatation of the veins of the pampiniform plexus that drain the testis.The pathophysiology of testicular damage in varicocele has not been completely understood. However there is an increasing body of evidence pointing towards the role of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of varicocele related subfertility. In the present study we examined the role of proanthocynidin-rich ethanol extract of grapefruit seed as an antioxidant in protecting the testis against damage in experimental varicocele. Three groups of rats were constructed as the first group had intact rats; experimental bilateral varicoceles were established by complete ligation of the left and right main spermatic veins in the later two groups. The third group had in addition daily gavage administration of 10mg/ kg body weight ethanol extract of grapefruit seed. Eight weeks after varicocele induction, bilateral testicular weights, bilateral testicular volumes, bilateral caudal epididymal sperm characteristics, and bilateral testicular histology and serum hormone levels were tested. It was found that the testes of grapefruit seed extract treated animals had better functional and histological profiles compared to the untreated varicocelized animals. These results indicated the effectiveness of grapefruit seed extract for preservation of testes function morphology in varicocelized subjects.

A Comparative Study of the Ileum in Rat (Rattus norvegicus), Bat (Eidolon helvum) and Pangolin (Manis tricuspis) as Investigated Using Histological Method Estudio Comparativo del Íleon en Rata (Rattus norvegicus), Murciélago (Eidolon helvum) y Pangolín (Manis tricuspis) Utilizando como Investigación el Método Histológico A.; ADEEYO, O. A.; AJAYI, S. A.; OLUWAYINKA, P. O.; ADELAKUN, E. A.; KEJI, S. T. & ADESANYA, O. A. A comparative study of the ileum in rat (Rattus norvegicus), bat (Eidolon helvum) and pangolin (Manis tricuspis) as investigated using histological method. Int. J. Morphol., 26(1):137-141, 2008. SUMMARY:The histological and morphometric differences in some parts of the gastrointestinal tracts of rat, bat and pangolin have been well established. This investigation aims at comparatively elucidating any adaptational changes the ileum of the three mammals must have adopted to meet its dietary requirements and also cope with their morphological differences. The investigation was carried out using ten rats, ten bats and ten pangolins of both sexes. The animals were slightly anaesthetized under chloroform inhalation. The intestines were harvested and the ileum excised and fixed in 10% formol saline. The tissues were processed for light microscopic study. The following stains were employed: Haematoxylin and eosin (H & E), Van Gieson and Verhoeff's haematoxylin elastic tissue stain. Stained slides were also analysed morphometrically. The results revealed microstructural modifications which characterized the mucosa as well as the pattern of distribution of the conjuntive tissue fibers in the ileum of the three mammals. These modifications are means of successfully coping with their respective diets and morphological differences. A.; ADEEYO, O. A.; AJAYI, S. A.; OLUWAYINKA, P. O.; ADELAKUN, E. A.; KEJI, S. T. & ADESANYA, O. A. A comparative study of the ileum in rat (Rattus norvegicus), bat (Eidolon helvum) and pangolin (Manis tricuspis) as investigated using histological method. Int. J. Morphol., 26(1):137-141, 2008. PALABRAS CLAVE: Pangolin; Murciélago; Rata; Íleon; Microanatomía, Tejido Conjuntivo. OFUSORI, D. A; CAXTON-MARTINS, E. A.; KOMOLAFE, O. O.; OLUYEMI, K. A.; ADEEYO, O. A.; AJAYI, S. A.; OLUWAYINKA, P. O.; ADELAKUN, E. A.; KEJI, S. T. & ADESANYA, O. A. A comparative study of the ileum in rat (Rattus norvegicus), bat (Eidolon helvum) and pangolin (Manis tricuspis) as investigated using histological method. OFUSORI, D. A; CAXTON-MARTINS, E. A.; KOMOLAFE, O. O.; OLUYEMI, K. A.; ADEEYO, O. A.; AJAYI, S. A.; OLUWAYINKA, P. O.; ADELAKUN, E. A.; KEJI, S. T. & ADESANYA, O. A. A comparative study of the ileum in rat (Rattus norvegicus), bat (Eidolon helvum) and pangolin (Manis tricuspis) as investigated using histological method.

Introduction: The epididymis is a tube of smooth muscle lined by a pseudostratified epithelium; the duct is lined by smooth muscle and the stroma is made up of connective tissue. Reticulin fibres are fine fibres that contain primarily collagen type III that are secreted by reticular cells and are traditionally thought to be present only in soft blood-forming tissues such as kidney, liver, bone marrow and organs of the lymphatic system such as thymus. Methods: This work demonstrates for the first time the presence of reticulin fibres in the epididymis of adult male Wistar rats using silver impregnation method. Results: The results show reticulin fibres around the peritubular ductal walls and in the connective tissue stroma. Conclusion: The presence of reticulin fibres within the epididymal connective tissue may have effect on contractility, assisting the movement of sperms from the caput portion of the duct to the caudal part.