Effect of A. nilotica pods and A. lebbeck stem bark extracts on the reproductive system of male Mastomys natalensis: An Anti-fertility studies

Abstract

The contraceptive potential of Acacia nilotica pods and Albizzia lebbeck stem bark methanolic extracts were evaluated in male rodent pests. Ninety (90) multimammate rats (M. natalensis) were randomized into a 3 × 3 factorial design for treatment groups (control, A. lebbeck and A. nilotica) (n = 10) and treatment durations (15, 30, or 60 days). Control rats consumed plain feed. Treated rats consumed feed with 2% w/w of either of the plant extract. Following treatment, male rats were mated to untreated females before they were sedated in ether and humanely sacrificed. Assessments were done on fertility success rates (number of impregnated females), weight of testes and reproductive glands, sperm cell parameters, and testes histopathology. Fertility success rate was reduced to 0% in the A. nilotica treated rats at all the treatment durations and in the A. lebbeck treated rats after 60 days of treatment. Also, the extract-treated rats revealed a significant reduction in the testes, seminal vesicles, and epididymides weights compared to the control group. Moreover, sperm cell density and the proportions of live and progressively motile spermatozoa were significantly reduced and there were numerous damaged seminiferous tubules reflected by sloughed off germ cells, thinned germinal epithelium and widened empty lumen in the extract treated rats. Thus, treatment with A. nilotica or A. lebbeck extract in male M. natalensis reduced their fertility success rates through distortion of testicular structure and disruption of spermatogenesis.

Keywords

• seminiferous tubule
• multimammate rat
• sperms parameters
• test feed
• plant extract