Therapeutic Effects of Aqueous Extract of Pheonix Dactilyfera on Lead Acetate Induced Sperm Toxicity in Adult Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

The therapeutic effects of aqueous extract of Pheonix dactilyfera was evaluated on lead II acetate induced testicular toxicity. Twenty four (24) male adult Wistar rats were used for this experiment and divided into six (6) groups of four (4) Wistar rats each. Group I was assigned as the control group and was administered distilled water; Group II was the toxic group and was administered 120mg/kg per body weight; Group III was the treated group 1 which was first administered the 120mg/kg of lead acetate for 14 days, followed by administration of 1000mg/kg per body weight of date palm for 14 days; Group IV was treated group 2 which was also administered the 120mg/kg of lead acetate and followed by administration of 1500mg/kg of date palm; Groups V and VI were both administered 1000mg/kg and 1500mg/kg of date palm respectively. Groups I, II, V and VI were sacrificed on the 15 th day while Groups III and IV were sacrificed on 29 th day. There was a significant increase in non motile sperms, non viability of sperm in lead group (p<0.05) with non significant increase in abnormal morphology. Date palm treated groups (Groups III and IV) had a non significant increase in normal motility, normal morphology, sperm viability, concentration. Date palm only groups had a significant increase in non motile and non viable cells (p<0.05) but with an increase in the weights, normal morphology of sperm cells. Based on the above observations and results, it can be concluded that date palm may have a possible curative effect on lead acetate induced testicular damage.