Effects of Vitamin C on Testicular Function of Male Wistar Rats Treated with Xylopia Aethiopica

Authors: Emeka Ugwuishi, Nwankwo Azubuike Amakwe, Oghenetega Onome Bright, Osim E Eme

Country: Nigeria

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Abstract: Xylopia Aethiopica fruits locally called “Uda” by the south eastern part of Nigeria is a highly valued plant in Igbo land, as the fruit is used as spices and aqueous decoction, especially after child birth, probably for its antiseptic properties and to arrest bleeding. Previous studies have shown that prolonged use of Xylopia Aethiopica fruits could induce reproductive impairment. In this study, effects of Vitamin C on testicular function of Wistar rats treated with Xylopia Aethiopica were investigated to see if Vitamin C can have ameliorative effects.

Five groups were used; negative control (group 1), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) (0.5 ml/kg) positive control (group 2), Xylopia Aethiopica fruits crude extract (300 mg/kg/day) (group 3), Vitamin C (100 mg/kg/day) (group 4), and Xylopia Aethiopica fruits crude extract (300 mg/kg/day) + Vitamin C (100 mg/kg/day) cotreatment (group 5). All treatments were administered orally for 60 days. Sperm parameters, FSH, LH, estrogen and testosterone were evaluated.

The result showed that Xylopia Aethiopica fruit extract altered spermatogenesis, hormonal profiling, hormonal fertility index, sperm capacitation, acrosomal-reaction and histoarchitecture of testes. However, Vitamin C was shown to avert Xylopia Aethiopica-induced inhibition of sperm capacitation and acrosomal-reaction. This study showed that Xyolopia aethiopica may cause reproductive impairment and that Vitamin C was able to ameliorate Xylopia Aethiopica-induced inhibition of spermatogenesis, hormonal profile, epididymal sperm capacitation and acrosomal reaction in rats, which may be due to increased testicular antioxidant activities. In conclusion, this result shows that the consumption of extract of Xylopia Aethiopica in male may cause reproductive impairment and administration of Vitamin C could ameliorate Xylopia Aethiopica-induced testicular impairment in rats.

Keywords: Vitamin C, Xylopia Aethiopica, Testicular Functions, Wistar Rats

Paper Id: 1360

Published On: 2022-01-26

Published In: Volume 10, Issue 1, January-February 2022

Cite This: Effects of Vitamin C on Testicular Function of Male Wistar Rats Treated with Xylopia Aethiopica - Emeka Ugwuishi, Nwankwo Azubuike Amakwe, Oghenetega Onome Bright, Osim E Eme - IJIRMPS Volume 10, Issue 1, January-February 2022.

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