Preliminary Study of the Efficacy of the Methanol Extract of the Bark of Kigelia africana in Reversing Early Testicular Damage Induced by Cotton Seed Oil

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the efficacy of the methanol extract of the bark of Kigelia africana in reversing the deleterious effects of cottonseed oil on semen parameters and the cytoarchitecture of the testes. Adult male wistar rats averagely weighing 135g were used for the study and were divided into 3 groups A, B and C. 50mg/kg body weight of methanol extract of the bark of Kigelia africana was given orally to rats in group A for 3 weeks after administration of 1.0ml/kg body weight of cotton seed oil for 6 weeks. Rats in group B received equivalent volume of normal saline for 3 weeks after administration of 1.0ml/kg body weight of cotton seed oil for 6 weeks, while group C served as the control and received normal saline for the period of 9 weeks. Results showed that oral administration of methanol extract of the bark of Kigelia africana reversed the deleterious effects of cottonseed oil on semen parameters by increasing sperm count and sperm motility. The cytoarchitecture of the testes also showed a tendency towards restoration to normal when compared with the control.

Keywords: Kigelia africana, cottonseed oil, sperm count, sperm motility, testes.

Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol. 7 (2) 2008: pp. 14-17