Browsing by Author "ADELODUN, KEHINDE ADERONKE"

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    EFFECTS OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF ALLIUM SATIVUM(LINN.) BULDS ON THE ADENOHYPOPHYSIS AND TESTES OF WISTAR RATES EXPOSED TO LEAD TOXICITY
    (2015) ADELODUN, KEHINDE ADERONKE
    This study investigated the effects of four weeks’ administration of Allium sativum bulbs aqueous extract (ASBAE) on the adenohypophysis and testes of rats that were exposed to lead (Pb) toxicity. This was with a view to determining its effects by measuring plasma levels of reproductive hormones such as follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone, activities of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the tissues of the adenohypophysis and testes, assessment of sperm characteristics as well as evaluating the effects of the extract on the histology of the adenohypophysis and testes of the rats. A total of thirty five (35) male Wistar rats, weighing 150-200 g, were used for this study. They were divided into seven groups of five rats (n=5) as follows; Group 1 (Control) received distilled water throughout the course of the study. Group 2 (Alpha Toc) received alpha tocopherol via oral route at 100 mg/kg/day for 28 days after exposure to Pb toxicity at 15 mg/kg/day for 7 consecutive days via intraperitoneal route. Group 3 (Pb) received lead (Pb) in the form of lead acetate solution at 15 mg/kg/day via intraperitoneal route for 7 days. Group 4 (Pb + recovery) were left to self-recover for a period of 28 days after exposure to Pb toxicity. Groups 5, 6 and 7 received graded doses of ASBAE at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day for 28 days after exposure to Pb toxicity. At the end of the study, the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture into separate EDTA bottles and centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 15 minutes with the aid of a cold centrifuge at -4ºC. Plasma obtained was used for the aforementioned biochemical assays. The activities of TBARS and levels of GSH were measured in the homogenates of the adenohypophysis and left testes of the rats. The right testes were fixed in 10% formal-saline solution for histological studies using hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) staining technique. Weekly body weight was measured during the course of the study while feeding pattern was assessed using physical examination. The result showed that exposure to Pb toxicity caused significant decrease in the plasma levels of reproductive hormones. The plasma levels of FSH (mIU/ml) in the Pb group (0.17 ± 0.01) was significantly reduced when compared with the control (0.29 ± 0.01) (t = 8.485; F = 1.000; P < 0.0001) and Alpha Toc group (0.27 ± 0.01) (t = 7.071; F = 1.000; P = 0.0001). This was, however found to be significantly reversed in a dose-dependent manner in the ASBAE-treated groups (Pb + 50 mg, 0.24 ± 0.01; Pb + 100 mg, 0.28 ± 0.02; Pb + 200 mg, 0.27 ± 0.01) when compared with Pb group (0.17 ± 0.01) (F = 14.10; P < 0.0001). At the end of the study, except for Pb + 50 mg ASBAE group (0.24 ± 0.01) that recorded an insignificant increase (0.24 ± 0.01), there was a significant increase in the ASBAE-treated groups when compared with the Pb + recovery group (0.22 ± 0.01) (F = 4.333; P = 0.0204). There was a significant increase in the testes activities of TBARS (nmol/mg protein) in the Pb group (0.23 ± 0.02) when compared with that of control (0.11 ± 0.01) (t = 5.37; F = 4.000; P = 0.0007). ASBAE administration significantly reversed this alteration in a dose-dependent manner (Pb + 50 mg, 0.13 ± 0.01; Pb + 100 mg, 0.12 ± 0.01; Pb + 200 mg, 0.11 ± 0.02) when compared with Pb group (0.23 ± 0.02) (F = 12.37; P = 0.0002). There was a significant increase recorded in the ASBAE-treated groups when compared with the Pb + recovery group (0.17 ± 0.01) (F = 3.952; P = 0.0276). Sperm counts, motility and viability were significantly reduced during the period of Pb toxicity. Sperm viability (%) in the Pb group (57.80 ± 2.65) was significantly reduced when compared with that of the control (86.60 ± 1.99) (t = 8.690; F = 1.773; P < 0.0001). This was, however, significantly reversed by ASBAE administration in a dose-dependent manner (Pb + 50 mg, 79.60 ± 2.02; Pb + 100 mg, 80.40 ± 1.33; Pb + 200 mg, 83.60 ± 1.35) when compared with Pb group (57.80 ± 2.65) (F = 38.08; P < 0.0001). In a dose-dependent manner, distortions in the histology of the adenohypophysis (characterized by vascular congestion and cellular hypertrophy) and testes (characterized by sever vacuolization of the epididymis and interstitium of the testes) were significantly improved in the ASBAE-treated groups when compared with the control, Alpha Toc and Pb groups. In conclusion, the administration of ASBAE showed significant reversal of the alterations in the indices of reproductive function in rats that were exposed to Pb toxicity. The reversal was in a dose-dependent manner. This ability may be attributed to its antioxidant properties on the adenohypophysis and testes in rat model.