Spermatozoa Characteristics, Serum Metabolites and Testicular Oxidative Stress Traits in Guinea Pigs (Cavia porcellus) Fed on Zanthoxyliun leprieurii Fruit

Abstract

Zanthoxyliun leprieurii belong to aromatic plants. Its fruit is commonly used as spice in soups and as medicine in many African countries. Because of its phytochemical composition, it cans also be used as antioxidant. In the present study, effects of aqueous extract of Z. leprieurii fruit on reproductive function in male guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) was evaluated. Fifty male guinea pigs with an average weight of 320.56 ± 30 g, aged 4 months were used. They were divided into 5 groups (G1, G2, G3, G4 and G5) of 10 animals each. During 60 days, animals of G1 were daily given distilled water orally, while G2 received 100 mg/kg body weight (bw) of vitamin C. In the other hand, G3, G4 and G5 received respectively by the same method 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg bw of aqueous extract of Z. leprieurii. At the end of the treatment, all animals were sacrificed for evaluating the genital organs weight, sperm characteristics, serum levels of reproductive hormones and stress biomarkers. Results revealed that the weight of testes, epididymis, vas deferens and accessory glands did not significantly affect (p˃0.05) in cavies exposed to different treatments compared to control animals. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in serum content of FSH at 100 mg/kg. bw (26.67 ± 3.51 ng ml -1) and LH at 50 mg/kg. bw (10.71 ± 2.42 ng ml -1) in animals exposed to aqueous extract of Z. leprieurii with reference to the control groups. In addition, there is a non-significant increase (p˃0.05) of the level of testosterone in the treated cavies compared to controls. Aqueous extract induced significant (p<0.05) increase in sperm mobility and sperm count in treated cavies with respect to the controls. The testicular activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase increased significantly (p<0.05) in guinea pigs exposed to aqueous extract of Z. leprieurii compared with those of control (G1). The reverse effect was observed concerning the concentration of malondialdehyde. In conclusion, the aqueous extract of Z. leprieurii fruit efficiently improves male reproductive characteristics by increasing level in reproductive hormones and an improvement of anti-oxidative enzymes activities.