Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Male infertility caused by exposure to heavy metals is a current global issue. Exposure to cadmium chloride (CdCl(2)) negatively affects the male reproductive system. Many infertile people, especially in developing countries, resort to folkloric treatment. Plukenetia conophora is used in Nigerian folk medicine to promote fertility. This study investigated the effects of Plukenetia conophora (PC) and 4H-Pyran-4-One 2,3-Dihydro-3,5-Dihydroxy-6-Methyl (DDMP) on Wistar rats with cadmium chloride-induced testicular damage. METHODS: Forty-two male Wistar rats (150-190g) were divided into seven groups (n=6) and treated daily for 54 days as follows: Controls (normal saline); CdCl(2) (2mg/kg single IP dose); CdCl(2) + 200 mg/kg vitamin E; CdCl(2) + 100 or 200 mg/kg PC; and CdCl(2) + 25 or 50 mg/kg DDMP. The rats were sacrificed 55 days after the start of the study; Samples were collected for analysis. Biochemical parameters malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, antioxidant enzymes, and proton pumps were measured by spectrophotometry. Reproductive hormones were measured using ELISA. Data were analysed using ANOVA and differences in mean values were considered significant at p<0.05. RESULTS: Significant increases in sperm count, motility, and viability were observed in the groups given CdCl(2)+Vitamin E, CdCl(2)+PC or CdCl(2)+DDMP as compared with the CdCl(2) group. Malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels in the groups treated with CdCl(2)+PC or CdCl(2)+DDMP decreased significantly when compared with the group given CdCl(2). Significant increases were observed in antioxidant enzymes, proton pump, and testosterone in the groups treated with CdCl(2)+PC or CdCl(2)+DDMP, respectively. CONCLUSION: Plukenetia conophora alleviated male reproductive toxicity induced by cadmium chloride in Wistar rats. 4H-Pyran-4-One 2,3-Dihydro-3,5-Dihydroxy-6-Methyl present in Plukenetia conophora may be responsible for the ameliorative effects.