Sperm parameters and histological changes in testes of cadmium-exposed rats treated with Hibiscus sabdarrifa L. anthocyanins

Abstract

Given increase in infertility due to environmental pollutants, this study examined changes in sperm parameters and testicular histology of cadmium- exposed rats treated with Hibiscus sabdarrifa L. anthocyanins (HSA). Adult male Wistar rats were divided into 9 groups: A (Control), B (Cd), C (HS Aq Extract), D (Low Dose HSA), E (High Dose HSA), F (Low Dose (HSA Pre Cd), G (High Dose HSA Pre Cd), H (Low Dose HSA Post Cd), I (High Dose HSA Post Cd) and treated in two experimental periods (5 days acute toxicity study and 15 days chronic toxicity study). Exposure to Cd alone significantly (p<0.05) reduced sperm volume, motility, morphology and count for both treatment periods compared to the control, and rats administered high and low doses of HSA alone. However, the administration of high and low doses of HSA to Cd-exposed rats significantly altered (p<0.05) these parameters compared to rats exposed to Cd alone. Sections of the testes from control showed several seminiferous tubules disposed within an interstitium composed of interstitial cells of Leydig indicating normalcy. Conversely, section of Rats testes from rats exposed to Cd showed several small sized seminiferous tubules with predominantly roundish architecture indicating great congestion of interstitial blood vessels. The study showed that exposure to Cd induced alterations in sperm parameters and also caused histological changes in the testes of rats. However, the administration of high and low doses of HSA to Cd-exposed rats before and after Cd exposure significantly altered these parameters compared to rats exposed to Cd alone.