Cocos nucifera L. oil alleviates lead acetate-induced reproductive toxicity in sexually-matured male Wistar rats

Olugbemi T Olaniyan; Olakunle A Ojewale; Ayobami Dare; Olufemi Adebayo; Joseph E Enyojo; Gloria E Okotie; Charles O Adetunji; Bello Sanusi Mada; Bamidele J Okoli; Olugbenga O Eweoya

doi:10.1515/jbcpp-2020-0281

Cocos nucifera L. oil alleviates lead acetate-induced reproductive toxicity in sexually-matured male Wistar rats

J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 2021 Mar 15;33(3):297-303. doi: 10.1515/jbcpp-2020-0281.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physiology, Laboratory for Reproductive Biology and Developmental Programming, Edo State University Uzairue, Iyamho, Edo State, Nigeria.
² Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Bushenyi, Uganda.
³ Department of Physiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
⁴ Department of Physiology, Bingham University Karu, New Karu, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
⁵ Department of Physiology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
⁶ Department of Microbiology, Applied Microbiology, Biotechnology and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Edo State University Uzairue, Iyamho, Edo State, Nigeria.
⁷ Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
⁸ Institute of Chemical and Biotechnology, Vaal University of Technology, Southern Gauteng Science and Technology Park, Sebokeng, South Africa.
⁹ School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of the Gambia, Banjul, The Gambia.

PMID: 33713589
DOI: 10.1515/jbcpp-2020-0281

Abstract

Objectives: Lead primarily affects male reproductive functions via hormonal imbalance and morphological damage to the testicular tissue with significant alteration in sperm profile and oxidative markers. Though, different studies have reported that Cocos nucifera L. oil has a wide range of biological effects, this study aimed at investigating the effect of Cocos nucifera L. oil on lead acetate-induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats.

Methods: Twenty (20) sexually matured male Wistar rats (55-65 days) were randomly distributed into four groups (n=5). Group I (negative control)-distilled water orally for 56 days, Group II (positive control)-5 mg/kg bwt lead acetate intraperitoneally (i.p.) for 14 days, Group III-6.7 mL/kg bwt Cocos nucifera L. oil orally for 56 days and Group IV-lead acetate intraperitoneally (i.p.) for 14 days and Cocos nucifera L. oil for orally for 56 days. Rats were sacrificed by diethyl ether, after which the serum, testis and epididymis were collected and used for semen analysis, biochemical and histological analysis.

Results: The lead acetate significantly increases (p<0.05) testicular and epididymal malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, while a significant reduction (p<0.05) in sperm parameters, organ weight, testosterone and luteinizing hormone was observed when compared with the negative control. The coadministration of Cocos nucifera oil with lead acetate significantly increases (p<0.05) testosterone, luteinizing hormone, sperm parameters and organ weight, with a significant decrease (p<0.05) in MDA levels compared with positive control. Histological analysis showed that lead acetate distorts testicular cytoarchitecture and germ cell integrity while this was normalized in the cotreated group.

Conclusions: Cocos nucifera oil attenuates the deleterious effects of lead acetate in male Wistar rats, which could be attributed to its polyphenol content and antioxidant properties.

Keywords: Cocos nucifera oil; Wistar rats; lead acetate; reproductive system.

MeSH terms

Animals
Cocos* / chemistry
Luteinizing Hormone
Male
Organometallic Compounds
Oxidative Stress
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Spermatozoa
Testis*
Testosterone

Substances

Organometallic Compounds
Testosterone
Luteinizing Hormone
lead acetate