Abstract

BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND SPERM CHARACTERISTICS IN MALE RATS GIVEN PLANTAIN STEM JUICE IN CYCLOSPHOSPHAMIDE-INDUCED REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY

Arhoghro E. M.*, John T. R.1, Eboh A.S., Prohp T. P. and Angalabiri-Owei B.

Abstract

Aim: This study was aimed at determining the efficacy of plantain stem (Musa paradisiaca) juice in reversing the cyclosphosphamide (CP) induced reproductive toxicity in rat model. Study design: The twenty male rats (Wistar strain) were divided into 4 groups with each group having 5 rats. The rats in group 1 and 2 (negative and positive control) were administered with distilled water and cyclophosphamide (6mg/kg body weight) respectively, while Group 3 was given cyclosphosphamide orally at the dose of 6 mg/kg body weight. However, group 3 was treated with plantain stem juice (2 mg/kg body weight) 1 hour after CP administration once daily for 21 days. Group 4 was treated with plantain stem juice alone also for 21 days. Methodology: Semen characteristics, serum testosterone, FSH, LH, testicular anti-oxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation and histopathology of testes were the parameters assayed using Light microscopy and biochemical methods. Results: The degree of sperm cell mortility; sperm count was significantly decreased (p

Keywords: Musa paradisiaca biochemical parameters, oxidative disturbances, sperm characteristics.