Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) significantly increase the chance of successful pregnancy and live birth in infertile couples. The different procedures for ART, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), intrauterine insemination (IUI), and gamete intrafallopian tube transfer (GIFT), are widely used to overcome infertility-related problems. In spite of its inarguable usefulness, concerns about the health consequences of ART-conceived babies have been raised. There are reports about the association of ART with birth defects and health complications, e.g., malignancies, high blood pressure, generalized vascular functional disorders, asthma and metabolic disorders in later life. It has been suggested that hormonal treatment of the mother, and the artificial environment during the manipulation of gametes and embryos may cause genomic and epigenetic alterations and subsequent complications in the health status of ART-conceived babies. In the current study, we aimed to review the possible long-term consequences of different ART procedures on the subsequent health status of ART-conceived offspring, considering the confounding factors that might account for/contribute to the long-term consequences.

This study was undertaken to assess the thyroid profile of diabetes mellitus (DM) patients and patients with some associated complications in the Edo state, Nigeria. Blood samples from 267 subjects, consisting of 164 diabetic patients (24 type 1 DM and 140 type 2 DM) and 103 nondiabetic apparently healthy individuals (as controls), were analyzed. The thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4) levels were determined using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). From the result obtained, the T3 level was found significantly (p < 0.05) higher in diabetic-nephropathy (D-NEPHR) patients than the control subjects, while the TSH and T4 levels of D-NEPHR were insignificantly (p > 0.05) higher than those of the control group. The mean TSH level was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in diabetic hypertensive patients when compared with the control group, while the plasma T3 level was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in diabetic hypertensive patients when compared with the control group. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the mean value of T4 of diabetic hypertensive patients when compared with the control subjects. The mean plasma T3 and T4 were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in diabetic neuropathy (D-NEUR) patients than those of control subjects. There were no significant (p > 0.05) differences in the mean plasma TSH level of D-NEUR patients when compared with those of control subjects. The mean plasma T3and T4 levels of diabetic patients with coronary heart disease (DM-CHD) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those of control subjects while the mean plasma TSH level of DM-CHD was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that of control subjects. No significant (p > 0.05) difference in the mean plasma TSH, T4, and T3 levels of diabetic retinopathy subjects when compared with those of control subjects was obtained.

Smoking of Cannabis sativa (Marijuana), a known psychoactive substance may result in side effect on living cells of the system. The aim of this study is to assess the complete blood count of Cannabis sativa smokers and make comparison with non-smokers in Ekpoma, Edo State. A total of one hundred subjects were recruited for this study which consist of Fifty (50) Cannabis sativa smokers and fifty (50) non Smokers which served as control. A complete record of medical and smoking history was obtained for each subject, with the use of the questionnaire. The samples obtained were taken to the laboratory for analysis using Sysmex KX auto analyzer. The result showed that the levels of WBC, RBC, granulocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, Haemoglobin, packed cell volume and platelet levels were significantly lower (p

With the increased utilization of assisted reproductive technology (ART), concerns about the potential health risks for ART-conceived babies have also been raised. Increased prevalences of allergic and metabolic diseases have been reported among ART offspring. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of IVF on the tendency to develop allergic responses following ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization in IVF-conceived mice. Mice were divided into four groups (non-OVA naturally conceived, OVA naturally conceived, non-OVA IVF-conceived, and OVA IVF-conceived). In the OVA groups, the mice were subjected to intraperitoneal and intranasal immunization with OVA. Two days after the final immunization, blood samples were taken, and the serum levels of IgE and IL-4 were detected by ELISA. The mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation, their spleens and lungs were removed, and their weights were measured and recorded. Sensitization with OVA resulted in significantly increased concentrations of IL-4 and total IgE, as well as increased lung and spleen weights, among offspring from both natural and IVF conception. The concentrations of IgE and IL-4 and the lung and spleen weights in IVF-conceived mice were significantly higher compared to those in naturally conceived mice before and after sensitization with OVA. It is concluded that compared to naturally conceived mice, IVF-conceived mice exhibit a greater tendency to develop allergic responses against OVA.