Asian Journal of Research and Reports in Endocrinology

Assessment of Testosterone Levels and Sperm Motility Variables of Mercury Toxicity Induced Male Albino Rats Treated with Pentaclethra macrophylla Seed (Ugba)

J. D. Nwahiri *

Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

C. C. Ozoemena

Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

B. N. Okolonkwo

Department of Medical Laboratory Science, PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

D. G. Tamuno-Emine

Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

E. O. Nwachuku

Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

E. S. Bartimaeus

Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

---

Abstract

Aim: To assess testosterone levels and sperm motility variables of mercury toxicity induced male Albino Rats treated with Pentaclethra macrophylla seed (Ugba).

Study Design: An experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Animal and Environmental Biology Animal House, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, between January 2019 and January 2021.

Methodology: Thirty-six (36) adult male albino rats weighing approximately 135±1.5g were purchased from University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. They were housed in plastic suspended cages, placed in well-ventilated conditions, and provided with rat diet and water and acclimatize for two weeks. Fresh matured seeds of Pentaclethra macrophylla (African oil bean seed) were sourced locally from markets in Imo state, Nigeria. The washed and sliced seeds were stored at room temperature and allowed to ferment. The fermented seeds were dried, ground and preserved in airtight container in the refrigerator at 4^0c.The total weight of the powdered seed of Pentaclethra macrophylla produced was 250g Seeds were thoroughly washed with distilled water, cooked for more than 2hours at 100^0c.  Maceration technique was used to carry out an ethanolic extract of the plant seed. Mercury chloride salt was purchased in Port Harcourt. A standard dose of 3.0mg/kg body weight of mercury chloride obtained from acute toxicity study dose determination was administered to the rats for 30 days after they were divided into six groups of six rats per group. After 30 days, all the animals were weighed, anaesthetized using chloroform. Blood sample was drawn via cardiac puncture and tissue samples of the testis were collected and used for histological analysis. Epididymal sperm number was estimated by crushing excised cauda epididymis in suspension medium. SPSS version 23 was used for statistical analysis and p values less than 0.05 were considered significant.

Results: The results showed that there was a significant reduction (p<0.05) in percentage sperm viability, motility, testosterone levels, sperm count and a significantly elevate abnormal sperm morphology and dead sperm percentage in group 2 animals after induction with varying concentration of mercury compared to that of the control rats, but the former parameters were significantly elevated while there were significant reductions in the latter parameters after treatment with PM (groups 4 and 5).

Conclusion: Induction with mercury caused a reduction in testosterone levels and poor sperm quality index (motility, count & viability), but were significantly improved after treating with PM.

Keywords: Testosterone, sperm motility variables, mercury toxicity, albino rats, pentaclethra macrophylla seed (Ugba)

---

---

---

References

Rafati-Rahimzadeh M, Kazemi S, Moghadamnia AA. Current approaches of the management of mercury poisoning: need of the hour. Daru Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2014;22(1): 46-57.

Abarikwu SO, Benjamin S, Ebah SG, Obilor G, Agbam G.Oral administration of Moringa oleifera oil but not coconut oil prevents mercury‐induced testicular toxicity in rats. Andrologia, 2017;49(1):e12597.

Sener GO, Sehirli A, Tozan A, Velioglu – Ovunc N, Gedik Omurtag G. Ginkgo biloba extract protects against mercury (11) chloride – induced oxidative tissue damage in rats. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2007;45:543 – 50.

Abarikwu SO, Njoku RCC, Onuah CL. Aged coconut oil with a high peroxide value induces oxidative stress and tissue damage in mercury-treated rats. Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology. 2018;29(4):365-76.

Rao MV, Sharma PSN. Protective effect of vitamin E against mercury chloride reproductive toxicity in male mice. Reproductive Toxicology. 2001;15(16):705 – 12.

Martinez CS, Peçanha FM, Brum DS, Santos FW, Franco JL, Zemolin APP, Vassallo DV. Reproductive dysfunction after mercury exposure at low levels: evidence for a role of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) 1 and GPx4 in male rats. Reproduction, Fertility and Development. 2017;29(9):1803-12.

Osabor V.N, Okonkwo PC, Ikeuba AI. Chemical profile of leaves and seeds of Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth. Journal of Medicinal plant and Herbal Therapy Research. 2017;5:11 – 17.

Sonmez M, Turk G, Yuce A. The effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on sperm quality, lipid peroxidation and testosterone levels of male Wistar rats. Theriogenology. 2005;63(7):2063 –72.

Wyrobek AJ, Bruce WR. The induction of sperm shape abnormalities in mice and human. In: Hollander A, de Serres FJ (eds) Chemical mutagens, Plenum Press, New York. 1980;5:257-287.

Bloom E. The ultrastructure of some characteristic sperm defects. Nord, Veterinary Medicine, 1973;25:283-94

Pant N, Srivastava SP. Testicular and spermatotoxic effects of quinalphos in rats, Journal of Applied Toxicology: An International Journal. 2003;23(4): 271–4.

Robb GW, Amann RP, Killian GJ. Daily sperm production and epididymal sperm reserves of pubertal and adult rats. Reproduction. 1978;54(1):103-7.

Drury RAB, Wallington EA. Preparation, fixation of tissues. Carleton's Histological Technique. 1980;5:41-54.

Mahboob M, Shireen KF, Atkinson A, Khan AT. Lipid different organs of mice exposed to low level of mercury. Journal of Environmental Science and Health. 2001;36:687– 97.