Evaluation of the effect of Cissus populnea aqueous root infusion on some testicular function indices and serum hormones of male rats

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the effect of aqueous infusion of Cissus populnea root on testicular function indices and serum hormones of male Wistar rats. Twenty male albino rats, weighing 130 ±25 g were completely randomized into 4 groups of five each. Animals in groups I to IV received 0.2ml of distilled water, 0.05 ml, 0.1 ml & 0.2 ml/kg body weight of the infusion, respectively. The oral administration was done once daily for 14 days using oropharyngeal cannula. Compared with the control, administration of aqueous infusion of C. populnea root at the doses administered resulted in significant (P < 0.05) increase in percentage testesbody weight ratio, serum testosterone, luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormones, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, testicular cholesterol, protein, sialic acid and glycogen. The results were observed to be 1.73 %, 3.4 ng/ml, 4.2 mlu/ml, 15.5 mlu/ml, 16.8 nM/min/mg protein, 3.39 mmol/ L, 13.58 nM/min/mg protein, 92.75 mg/ml, 1.97 mg/g and 8.38 mg/100mg glucose in the animals respectively compared with the control values of 1.10 %., 1.3 ng/ml, 3.5 mlu/ml, 5.64 nM/min/mg protein, 0.77 mmol/L, 2.58 nM/min/mg protein, 51.58 mg/ml, 1.09 mg/g and 3.13 mg/100mg glucose respectively. The oral administration of aqueous infusion of C. populnea root may help to improve fertility in males due to its ability to increase serum testosterone and gonadotropins secretion.

Keywords: Cissus populnea, Testicular function indices, Serum hormones, Rats, aqueous infusions.