The Effect of Crude Extract of Garcinia Kola Seed on the Histology and Hormonal Milieu of Male Sprague-Dawley Rats' Reproductive Organs

Abstract

Effect of Garcinia Kola (G. kola) on various organs has been widely reported in literature, however, there is a dearth of literature on its effect in the reproductive system. 45 adult Sprague-Dawley (S-D) rats were used. The animals were divided into two experimental groups, ‘A' and ‘B' and a control group ‘C'. The experimental groups ‘A' and ‘B' received oral dose 100mg/kg b.w. of crude extract G. kola seeds six days/week for 2 and 8 weeks respectively. Histological sections prepared at the end of the study period revealed no significant changes in the seminiferous tubular cytoarchitecture. Increased secretions were observed in the lumen of the prostate gland and seminal vesicle when compared with the control. There was a slight reduction in the luminal spermatozoa volume within the epididymis in the test groups. Semen analysis revealed a significant reduction of sperm concentration in the eight weeks group. Sperm concentration values of 60.28 ± 1.08 x 106/ml were obtained for the control, 58.23 ± 0.89 x 106/ml and 46.14 ± 1.80 x 106/ml for the two and eight weeks experimental groups respectively (p<0.05). The hormonal assay showed a significant increase in serum peripheral levels of testosterone when compared with control. Mean values of 2.93 ± 0.53ng/ml, 2.96 ± 0.05ng/ml and 5.13 ± 1.70ng/ml were obtained for control, 2 and 8 weeks experimental groups respectively. There was a reduction in testicular weight and attendant increases in weights of the prostate gland and seminal vesicle in the experimental animals. These results suggest that G. Kola seed produces a reduction in sperm concentration which is duration dependent.


KEY WORDS: Garcinia Kola; hormonal milieu; male reproductive organs.


[Nig. Jnl Health & Biomedical Sciences Vol.2(1) 2003: 40-46]