Ameliorative Effects of Spondias Mombin Aqueous Leaf Extract on The Sperm Characteristics of Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Considerable efforts have been directed towards addressing diabetes-induced infertility. In a twophase study designed to determine the effect of Spondias mombin (SM) aqueous leaf extract on blood glucose, spermiogram and gonadosomatic index of diabetes-induced  wistar rats, forty male Wistar rats (170 - 250g) were randomly divided into ten groups (n=4) with five treated for 7 days for the first phase  and five treated for 14 days in the second phase. Each phase had their five groups randomly assigned into control (non-diabetic), diabetic  (untreated), diabetic concurrently treated with 5 mg/kg glibenclamide, 400mg/kg SM and 800 mg/kg SM. Diabetes mellitus was  induced with intraperitoneal administration of alloxan hydrate at a dosage of 158mg/kg. Rats with fasting blood glucose of ≥ 190 mg/dL  three days post alloxan administration was considered diabetic. Following this, the test substances were administered daily via oral  gavage for 7 or 14 days. Blood glucose levels, spermiogram, body weight changes, gonadosomatic index (GSI), and testicular weights  were evaluated at the end of each phase. Results revealed that SM caused a reduction in the blood glucose in a dose-dependent manner  in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. In both phases, 800 mg/kg SM dosage improved the sperm motility and concentration. Also, at 400mg/ kg dosage, after 14 days of administration SM caused a progressive improvement in the sperm motility and concentration. The percentage of abnormal sperm cells varied between control and treatment groups but remained within the range of 18.50% to 57.00%  after 14 days of treatment. The GSI was highest in 800 mg/kg SM group after 14 days when compared with other groups. This study  concluded that the aqueous S. mombin leaf extract exhibited an ameliorative effect on diabetes-induced infertility when administered at  dose of 800 mg/kg between 7 and 14 days.