ABSTRACT
Effects of aqueous seed extracts of Sphenostylis stenocarpa on the reproductive indices of male rats were investigated. A total of 104 adult rats were used for the experiment, and were divided into 4 groups (group A – D) and replicated in triplicate. Group A served as the normal control, while groups B, C and D received three graded doses (800mg/kg, 1200mg/kg and 1600mg/kg) of the extracts, respectively, by oral intubation. The gonad characteristics, sperm parameters and hormonal analyses of the male rats were determined using standard procedures. These were ascertained prior to the commencement of treatment, and on weekly basis. Data were analyzed statistically using SPSS and R software at 95% confidence interval. An overall dose and time dependent showed significant differences in the mean weekly gonad characteristics of the male rats in the treatment groups when compared with the control. There was a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the body weights of the male rats, but a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the testes weights, gonad somatic index, sperm count and sperm motility in the rats. The gonadal hormone testosterone, responded to the plant extracts, while follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones were largely undetected. There were significant increases in the testosterone levels of all the treated rats. Conclusively, aqueous seed extracts of Sphenostylis stenocarpa seems to possess ability to enhance reproductive health in male rats.
ABSTRACT
Plant diversity and soil characteristics were studied along watershed environment in Ikot Uso Akpan Wildlife Sanctuary of Itu Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom state. The systematic sampling method was used to sample the vegetation in 10m x10m quadrats. Plants were identified to species level. Vegetation attributes such as frequency, density, height, basal area and crown cover, were measured for each species. In each quadrat, two soil samples were collected and bulked into one composite sample. A total of twenty soil samples were collected. Soil physicochemical properties were analyzed in the Soil Science Laboratory of University of Uyo, Uyo. 42 plant species belonging to 33 families and 38 genera were identified in all the sampling area. The results showed that Elaeis guineensis was the most abundant species with 70% frequency of occurrence while Rauvolfia vomitoria was the least with 10% frequency of occurence. Carpolobia lutea had the highest mean density of 250±0.00stems/ha while 6 plant species had the least mean density of 25±0.00stems/ha. Brachystegia eurycoma had the highest mean height while Aframomum sceptrum was the shortest plant. Brachystegia eurycoma had the highest mean basal area of 1.10±0.001m2/ha, while Costus afer had the smallest mean basal area of 0.00002±0.000008m2/ha. Brachystegia eurycoma had the highest mean crown cover of 213.71±0.00m2/ha, while Aframomum sceptrum had the smallest mean crown cover of 0.077±0.009m2/ha. The soil was slightly acidic with pH mean value of 5.41±0.15. Organic Carbon, Total Nitrogen, Sodium and Potassium were low with mean values of 1.53±0.33%, 0.07±0.01%, 0.06±0.004 Cmol/kg and 0.10±0.01 Cmol/kg, respectively. Among the heavy metals, Iron (Fe) had the highest mean value of 36.16±8.94mg/kg, followed by Manganese (Mn) with mean value of 6.48±0.46mg/kg. The soil had high sand content of 89.20±0.80%, and low silt and clay contents of 5.40±0.20% and 5.40±0.60%, respectively. Linear regression of soil parameters and vegetation components showed that soil characteristics affected the abundance and distribution of vegetation components. This indicates that they play a vital role in plants diversity and distribution along watershed environments.