There is an absolute dependence of the concept of development on supply of adequately balanced nutrients especially during the perinatal age which is critical to development. Therefore, an upgraded nutrition is specially required during gestation and lactation, as this is the critical period of neurodevelopment. This study sought to investigate the effect of protein deficiency during gestation (F0) and lactation through to adolescence on neurological functions of subsequent (F1 and F2) generations, establishing the possible consequential mechanistic association. Rats in four groups were fed different rations of protein diets (PD) as formulated: 21% PD, 10% PD, 5% PD and control diet (standard rat chow, containing 16–18% protein), from adolescent through to gestation and lactation, next generations were weaned to the maternal diet group. Neurobehavioral studies (which include; Surface righting reflex, Negative geotaxis, Learning and Memory tests), brain oxidative stress and quantification of serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain were conducted. Result shows significantly altered neurobehavior, reflected in the reduction of reflex response and postural reaction score at P ≤ 0.05. There was also a transgenerational cognitive impairment of brain function in the F-generations, following perinatal protein malnutrition as shown in the Y-maze result, measuring spatial memory and Morris water maze result (cognition), providing a background for the observed sensorimotor response. The significant increase in dopamine level, decrease in the antioxidant capacity of the protein deficient brain groups are consistent with significantly altered serotonin system, critical to neurodevelopment and functional activities of learning and memory. Therefore, persistent early life protein deficiency mediates dysfunction in neurodevelopment and this involves life-long changes in key neurotransmitters and the brain redox status underlying the neurobehavioral display.
This study sought to evaluate the potential antioxidative potencies of Chromolaena odorata and Ageratum conyzoides, commonly used herbs in Nigeria for wound first aid and healing. The antioxidant potentials were evaluated by measuring their abilities to scavenge radicals, reduce oxidised iron and quench the formation of lipid peroxides. The findings showed that the extract of Ageratum conyzoides exhibited significantly higher (p<0.05) antioxidant potential than the extract of Chromolaena odorata. The study, therefore, suggests that Ageratum conyzoides has higher potential for therapeutic value than Chromolaena odorata in terms of antioxidant potential.
Background: The ability to reproduce efficiently is an important characteristic that has evolved through natural selection. Nutrition can modulate reproductive activities at different levels, its effect on nutrition is therefore complex and less predictable. This study aims at investigating the underlying effect of persistent dietary protein deficiency during early life on reproductive parameters of subsequent (F1 and F2) generations.Method: Rats in group of four (4) were fed daily, with different ration of protein diet (PD) formulated as: 21% protein diet, 10%protein diet, 5%protein diet and control diet (rat chow, containing 16-18% protein). They were fed ad libitum before mating, throughout gestation and lactation, and next generations were weaned to the maternal diet. Reproductive function analysis (which include; gestation and pubertal hormonal profiling, onset of puberty, oestrus cyclicity, sexual response) and morphometric analysis of the ovarian structure were carried out to assess associated consequences.Results: showed significant reduction in the fertility index as a consequence of altered reproductive function in the protein deficient models at P≤ 0.05. Low protein diet posed suboptimal intrauterine condition, which was linked to increased prenatal morbidity and mortality, lowered birthweight delayed onset of puberty, induced cycle irregularity, altered follicular maturation and endocrine dysfunction in the protein deficient groups. Reproductive status of an individual female organism critically depends on the maintenance of ovarian structure and function that has been associated with the hypothalamic pituitary-gonadal axis, hormonal events and sexual maturity.Conclusion: There is therefore an association between persistent early life protein deficiency and reproductive response which mechanistically involves life-long changes in key ovarian cytoarchitecture and function.
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