Effects of Regular Consumption of Potash (Akanwu) on Male Reproductive Hormones, Prostate Specific Antigen Level, and Semen Quality in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Introduction: There have been a global decline in male fertility over recent decades largely due to declining semen quality, this decline is being attributed to several environmental and man-made factors. Potash (akanwu) is a naturally occurring mineral that is composed primarily of potassium salts. In recent years, there have been increased interest in the use of potash as a dietary supplement, There are folkloric claims that akanwu has some anti fertility properties, that consumption of akanwu was traditionally used for suppression of male sexual desire. Aims: This study evaluated the effects of regular potash (akanwu) administration on reproductive hormones, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, and semen quality in male Wistar rats. Place and Duration of Study: This experimental study was carried out in the Department of Human Physiology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka for 60 days. Methodology: Thirty five wistar rats weighing between 114g-140g were randomly divided into 5 groups after two weeks of acclimatization. LD50 was determined using Lorke’s method. Group A served as the control and received normal rat chow and tap water ad libitum. Groups B to E served as the test groups and were daily administered 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg, 750mg/kg and 1000mg/kg of Potash respectively for 60 days. Treatments were administered orally. Results: The parameters analyzed were relative testicular, relative prostate weights, sperm count, sperm motility, sperm morphology, blood level of testosterone, follicular stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, Prostate Specific antigen and histology of the testes. Results demonstrated dose-dependent reproductive toxicity. Sperm parameters were markedly impaired, total sperm count decreased significantly at 750mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg (p<0.05). Sperm motility was significantly reduced in a dose dependent manner in all treatment groups (p<0.05) while non-motile sperm increased across all the treatment groups (p<0.05). There was significant decrease in the percentage of sperms with normal morphology (p<0.05) while sperms with abnormal morphology increased progressively with dosage. Relative testicular and prostate weights showed mild increase across the treatment groups, though not statistically significant.  Hormonal assays revealed significant decrease in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone levels (p<0.05). PSA levels increased significantly (p<0.05) at doses ≥500 mg/kg. Histological examination revealed dose-dependent degeneration of seminiferous tubules, spermatogenic arrest, necrosis, and hemorrhage at higher doses. Conclusion: This study has shown that regular consumption of potash (akanwu) impairs sperm quality by reducing sperm motility and morphology, decrease blood level of male reproductive hormones, elevates blood level of PSA. The normal architecture of the testicular histology was also altered.