Effects of Ethanol Extract of Leaves of Helianthus Annuus on the Reproductive System of Male Wistar Rats: Testicular Histology, Epididymal Sperm Properties and Blood Levels of Reproductive Hormones
D. E. Ejebe¹*, J. O. T. Emudainohwo¹, R. Akonoghrere¹, C. C. Olise1 , C. N. Amadi², I. M. Siminialayi³, I. Onyesom4, S. I. Ovuakporaye5, and A. E. Ojieh51 Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Delta State University Abraka
2Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Management, University of Port Harcourt Nigeria
3Department of Pharmacology, University of Port-Harcourt Nigeria
4Department of Medical Biochemistry, Delta State University, Abraka Nigeria
5Department of Physiology, Delta State University, Abraka Nigeria
Abstract: The time and dose dependent effects of ingestion of the ethanol extract of the leaves of Helianthus annuus L.(the common sunflower),0.5g/kg and 2g/kg body weight for 28days,on the histology of the testes, Epididymal sperm properties, blood levels of Testosterone, Follicle stimulating hormone and Leutinizing hormone of male Wistar rats were investigated in two phases. The results in phase one revealed the presence of mild to severe histo-degenerative testicular changes in treated rats sacrificed by the end of day 14, 28 and 56 compared with their matched controls. This was accompanied with statistically insignificant (p>0.05) decrease in mean body weights and testicular weights in treated rats in the period of treatment. Between 28th and 56th day when extract treatment was withheld, previously treated rats showed gain in mean general body and mean testicular weight increased toward that of the control. Results in phase two revealed progressive lowering of the epididymal sperm count percentage sperm viability as well as the blood levels of gonadotropins and testosterone while the percentage abnormal sperm morphology progressively increased with time of treatment. Statistically significant (p<0.05) effects of extract treatment on these parameters were observed for both doses in animals sacrificed earliest and persisted in experimental animals spared extract treatment between day 28 and 56 before they were sacrifice. This study suggest that the 2 experimental doses of extract used were probably above threshold and a time dependent effect of extract treatment on epididymal sperm properties as well as blood levels of gonadotropins and testosterone. It also suggests that the anti-spermatogenic effect of the extract could be as a result of toxicity on the testes and/or the anterior pituitary gland. We conclude from this study that the ethanol extract of the leaves of helianthus annuus possesses anti-spermatogenic /antifertility potentials that may be harnessed for contraception but further investigation in this regard is required.
Keywords: Ethanol Extract; Leaves; Helianthus annuus; Rats; Testicular Histology Back to TOC