Effects of ethanol extract of Afrostyrax lepidophyllus seeds on reproductive parameters and oxidative stress markers in male guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) exposed to Paraquat

Abstract

Paraquat is a contact herbicide, particularly effective for weeds control. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of ethanol extract of Afrostyrax lepidophyllus (EEAL) seeds on reproductive toxicity and oxidative stress caused by paraquat in male Guinea pigs. 60 male guinea pigs were randomly assigned to 6 treatment groups (n = 8) which orally received varied concentration of solutions for 115 days. Group 1 (G1) received distilled water; group 2 (G2) was given 4 mg kg-1 of body weight of paraquat (PQ), group 3 (G3) received 4 mg kg-1 bw of PQ and 100 mg kg-1 bw of Vitamin C (Vit C) while groups 4, 5 and 6 were co-treated with PQ (4 mg kg-1) plus EEAL at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg kg-1 bw respectively. Serum testosterone, total cholesterol, the reaction time, sexual organ weights, sperm count, motility and anomalies (minors and majors), spermatozoa with entire plasma membrane, testicular malondialdehyde (MDA) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and total peroxidases activities were assessed. Result showed that the co-administration of paraquat and EEAL significantly (p