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
In this study, stem bark extracts of Cylicodiscus gabunensis, Nauclea latifolia and Araliopsis soyauxii were investigated for possible adverse effects on male reproductive organs and sex hormones of male albino rats of about eleven weeks weighing between 120-180g. The total of twenty eight rats were divided into seven groups (A, B, C, D, E, F and G) with four rats in each group. Two levels of each plant extract 125mg/kg body weight (BW) and 225 mg/kg BW (low and high dose) were administered to the rats by oral intubation. Group A served as the control and were fed with normal commercial feed only, group B and C were fed with 125 and 225mg/kg BW of C. gabunensis, group D and E were fed with 125 and 225mg/kg BW of N. latifolia while F and G were fed with 125 and 225mg/kg BW of A. soyauxii. The results of the phytochemical screening showed significant differences (p<0.05) in the bioactive components of the three plants. The results obtained on the reproductive organs showed no significant effect (p>0.05) on organ weight (testes and epididymides) semen pH, sperm count and sperm head abnormality among the different groups but there were differences (p<0.05) in sperm motility and sperm viability in the different groups of the rat. On the hormonal analysis, the sex hormones under this study were generally decreased (p<0.05) as the concentration of each extract
ABSTRACT
Aim: Humans and animals interact with their environments on a daily basis and, as a consequence, are exposed to a broad spectrum of synthesized chemicals present in the food they eat, the air they breathe and the water they drink including glyphosate. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of glyphosate on the sperm dynamics of male albino rats and the protective effects of ascorbic acid. Methods: Twenty five mature male albino rats were weighed and divided into five groups in a completely randomized design (CRD). Group 1 rats served as the control. Rats in groups 2 and 4 received 250ml/kg and 500ml/kg of glyphosate while groups 3 and 5 rats were administered with 250ml/kg and 500ml/kg of glyphosate and 200mg/kg of ascorbic acid, respectively, which were administered orally using oral gavages. The treatment regimen lasted for 65 days. Results: Our results showed that there were significant adverse effects (P<0.05) of glyphosate treatment on sperm parameters and the cyto-architecture of the gonad, which showed disruption in the seminiferous tubules, necrotic germinal epithelium and clumped Leydig cells. However, administering the rats with ascorbic acid caused significant ameliorating effects on the parameters investigated. Conclusion: Succinctly, glyphosate exposure to animals is detrimental to their reproductive physiology, including the cellular integrity of the gonads. This not notwithstanding, administering the affected animals with ascorbic acids might reduce the toxicity inflicted by the glyphosate.