1. Effect of methanolic extract of Gmelina arborea fruit on semen traits, testicular morphometry and histopathology in Cadmium exposed rabbit bucks.
- Author
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Ansa, A. A., Akpere, O., and Idahosa, F. E.
- Subjects
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CADMIUM , *GMELINA , *GROUP 12 elements , *VERBENACEAE , *PLANT growth - Abstract
Among heavy metals, Cadmium (Cd) is one of the common pollutants with deleterious reproductive and physiological impact in the biological system. This study was designed to evaluate the detrimental effects of Cd on the seminal and histopathological parameters of the testes; and to explore the therapeutic potentials of the methanolic extract of Gmelina arborea (MEGA) fruit in averting such reproductive damages. To achieve this, a total of 45 rabbit bucks aged between 24-28 weeks and weighing between 1.41-1.43 kg were used. The rabbit bucks were assigned to 5 treatments groups (control, Cd-only, Cd + 300 mg MEGA, Cd + 600 mg MEGA and Cd + 900 mg MEGA) in a completely randomized design. The rabbits were dosed with 3 mg CdCl2 /kg feed for 7 days followed by MEGA for 56 days after every 72 hours before the commencement of semen collection. The result of semen evaluation indicates that semen volume, semen motility, semen concentration, total ejaculate and viability were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced by Cd compared to the control group. Libido, body weight and testis density of the Cd-only rabbit group were also significantly (P < 0.05) reduced. Histopathological examination also revealed severe testicular damage due to Cd. However, treatment with MEGA significantly (P < 0.05) reversed the deleterious reproductive effects caused by Cd. In conclusion, Cd drastically affected the testis of rabbit bucks and treatment with MEGA alleviated these deleterious effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
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