This study evaluated the effect of father's feeding practices on biochemical and haematological parameters in children under five in Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study design was used and a structured questionnaire was administered to a sample of 150 fathers. Haematological and biochemical parameters of the children were also determined. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data obtained. Data of biochemical and haematological parameters were subjected to one way analysis of variance and significant difference was established at P˂ 0.05. The results revealed a significant association between father's feeding practices and biochemical and haematological parameters in children under five in Birnin Kebbi. The study concluded that there is a need for health education programs to be designed to improve the feeding practices of fathers in order to improve the biochemical and haematological parameters of the children. This study contributes to the literature on the importance of fathers’ feeding practices in the health and wellbeing of children, particularly in developing countries.

Clinical and experimental studies have demonstrated that diclofenac sodium (DFS) administration could result in male reproductive dysfunction. Erythrina senegalensis (ES) is a potent medicinal plant with antioxidants that may significantly impact cellular redox homeostasis, including male reproduction. Therefore, the study investigated the attenuative effects of hydroethanolic leaf extract of Erythrina senegalensis (HLEES) in DFS-induced testicular and epididymal toxicity in male albino rats. Thirty male Wistar rats of 5 rats per group were used in this study and were randomly divided into 6 groups (A–F) and treated for 21 days. Rats in group A (control group) received distilled water orally; Group B was given DFS at 10 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally (IP). Group C and D were given HLEES at 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight orally respectively. Groups E and F were given DFS at 10 mg/kg + HLEES at 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively. Spermatological profiles and testicular histopathology were assessed. DFS-treated rats showed significant (p<0.05) reduction in relative organ weight and sperm parameters. Also, DFS treatment increased the percentage of sperm abnormalities relative to the control, and the groups administered HLEES only. Co-administration of HLEES with DFS improved the spermatological parameters and ease some effects of DFS on the reproductive and accessory organs mentioned above. HLEES was also seen to play a beneficial role in the histopathological effects of DFS on the testicular tissues. The current findings have shown that this evaluated plant extract may have ameliorative effects on DFS-induced testicular and epididymal injuries in rats.

Commonly used vitamins such as vitamin C is seen by many athletes as nutritional supplement rather than a performance enhancing drug that boost pulmonary function parameters. This research work is aimed at investigating the effect of vitamin C on Spirometric parameters of athletes. 100 participants were used, 50 for each test group (Vitamin C) and water as control group. Spirometry and peak flow measurements were carried out on each participant. The vitamin C administered orally at a dose of 1.50mg/kg body weight and 35ml of water given orally, the body mass index (BMI), age, sex considered. Measurements were taken before and after one hour of administration of drugs. The results show mean PEFR male and female for Ascorbic Acid test group as 535.2±207.79L/Min and 322.76±20.39L/Min respectively. Control group PEFR male and female as 364.8±23.20L/Min and 325.6±20.45L/Min respectively. Control groups PEFR male and female as 450.6±51.45L/Min and 290±34.90L/Min for Vitamin C, 318±16.26L/Min and 275.20±14.77L/Min for water respectively. Vitamin C increases PEFR much more than water, ERV, IC, VC and IVC were increased by Ascorbic Acid while water decreased ERV, IC, VC, and IVC. The vitamin C effect shows a significant (p<0.05) increase in PEFR, indicating a minimal response of smooth muscle to sympathomimetic. The research work supports the performance enhancing role of Vitamin C, more pronounced in males than females. The finding of this study actually shows that vitamin C indeed has beneficial effect on pulmonary function which means enhancement of performance of athletes. The relatively lower values in females in this study correspond with the report that progesterone reduces fatigue and lowers exercise tolerance (Van-Haren et al., 1998), the participants have high reserve expiratory abilities. This might be due to the fact that they are athletes, meaning they always engage in active regular bodily exercises.