Ovarian profile of Wistar rats treated with Theobroa cacao extract.

Abstract

The study was aimed at determining the effect of aqueous extract of Theobroma cacao on the histology of the ovary of female albino wistar rat. Twenty-four (24) adult wistar female rats weighting about 100- 160g were used for this research work and were divided into three (3) groups of eight (8) animals each. Group A; control, Group B; low dose and Group C; high dose with eight (8) animals in each group. Control group received vital feed; the low dose group was administered 240mgkg body weight of Theobroma cacao extract and the high dose group was administered 500mgkg body weight of the test substance. Extract was given daily by oral gavage method for twenty-one (21) days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, all animals in each group were sacrificed under chloroform anesthesia. The ovaries were harvested, weighed and fixed in 10% buffered formalin for histological studies. Results showed that following administration of extract of Theoboma cacao at these doses, an insignificant decrease in organ weight was observed. Histological observation showed few follicles as well as loss of the substance of granulose cell this could possibly suggest decrease in production of sex steroids in the ovary.

Keywords: Theobroma Cacao, Ovary, Histology