ABSTRACT
Background and Objective: Infertility is one of the major health problems in life and has been linked to several factors; therefore different approaches are required to address the problem. This study investigated the attenuating potential of some antioxidants: Cellgevity, Max one, purslane and Vitamin C on caffeine induced spermatotoxicity in male albino rats. Location and duration of Study: This study was carried in the Department of genetics and Biotechnology, University of Calabar, Calabar and lasted for sixty five days. Methodology: Sixty sexually matured male albino rats were randomly divided into ten groups consisting of two rats in three replicates using completely randomized design (CRD). Group one served as control and received water and feed only. Group two were given 200 mg/kgBw of Cellgevity, group three received 200 mg/kgBW of Max one, group four received 100 mg/kgBW of Vitamin C, group five received 200 mg/kgBW of caffeine, group six received 200mg/kgBW of purslane, group seven received 200 mg/kgBW of caffeine and 200 mg/kgBW of Cellgevity, group eight received 200 mg/kgBW of caffeine and 200 mg/kgBW of Max one, group nine received 200mg/kgBW of caffeine and 200 mg/kgBW of purslane, group ten received 200 mg/kgBW of caffeine and 100 mg/kgBW of vitamin C. Administration was done orally and lasted for 65days. The rats were sacrificed after administration using chloroform anaesthesia. Testes and epididymes were processed for testes and epididymal weights as well as sperm profile. Results: The results showed that caffeine significantly (p<0.05) negatively affected all the parameters studied. The sperm profile significantly reduced in caffeine treated animals. However, Cellgevity, Max one, purslane and Vitamin C attenuated the effect of caffeine in all the parameters evaluated by increased the sperm viability, sperm motility, sperm count and reduced sperm head abnormalities and mutation index in the combination groups. Conclusion: Results show that Cellgevity, Max one, purslane and Vitamin C have the potential to attenuate spermatotoxicity caused by caffeine in albino rats.
ABSTRACT
This study was designed to evaluate the effects of pawpaw (Carica papaya) seeds, hibiscus plant (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) leaves andsweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) leavesextractson sperm quality (sperm motility, sperm density, semen volume) and weight of testes of male Clarias gariepinus.One hundred and twenty (120) juveniles of C. gariepinuswere collected from the University of Calabar fish farm. The 120 fish were randomly divided into 12 experimental tanks measuring 80x80x80cm (L x W x H), with three tanks for each treatment, using a completely randomized design (CRD). Three grams (3g) of each test plant were incorporated into 1kg of Coppens feed (3g/kg) and reformulated into four experimental diets; Treatment A-Control, B-Pawpaw seed meal (PSM), C-Hibiscus leaf meal (HLM) and D-sweet potato leaf meal (SPLM). The experiment was done in three replications. The fish were fed twice daily for 6 months. Data obtained were analyzed using a one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results showed that fish fed with HLM had significantly (p =.05) higher testicular weight when compared with the control and other test plants. Moreover, sperm volume and density significantly (p =.05) reduced in fish samples treated with PSM and SPLM when compared with the control and fish fed with HLM. The highest mean sperm volume and density were obtained in fish samples fed with HLM. No significant difference was observed in the sperm motility of the fish in all the treatment groups. Conclusively, this study reveals the pro-fertility potential ofH. rosa-sinensisin maleC. gariepinuswhile C. papaya and I. batatas possess anti-fertility properties. Therefore, HLM can be utilized as feed additive to minimize the dependence on synthetic drugs as fertility enhancing agents.
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the reproductive performance of pawpaw (Carica papaya) seeds, hibiscus plant (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) leaves and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) leaves on some reproductive parameters (ovary weight, mean egg diameter and egg fecundity) in female African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). One hundred and twenty (120) juveniles of C. gariepinus were collected from the University of Calabar fish farm. The 120 fish were randomly divided into 12 experimental tanks measuring 80x80x80 cm (L x W x H) using a completely randomized design (CRD). Three grams (3 g) of each test plant were incorporated into 1 kg of Coppens feed (3 g/kg) and reformulated into four experimental diets; Treatment A- Control, B- pawpaw seed meal, C- Hibiscus leaf meal and D- sweet potato leaf meal. The experiment was done in three replications. The fish were fed twice daily for 6 months. Data obtained were analyzed using a one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results obtained revealed that the different test substances significantly (p<0.05) negatively affected the different reproductive parameters studied. The ovary weight, gonadosomatic index (GSI), egg diameter, fecundity as well as total weight significantly (p<0.05) decreased in all the treated fish when compared with that of the control. Pawpaw seed meal (PSM) had the highest effect on the reproductive parameters of the fish studied (ovary weight, GSI, fecundity and egg diameter values of 14.89±5.51, 0.82±0.30, 19371±51.84 and 0.63±0.07, respectively) when compared to the other test plants. The findings of this study suggest that C. papaya seeds, hibiscus leaves and sweet potato leaves have the potential to impair reproductive performance in female African catfish. Therefore, holistic measures should always be taken when using these plants considering the effect it could exert on other aquatic inhabitants and systems.