<i>Xylopia aethiopica</i> (Annonaceae) seeds enhance male reproductive functions during ethanol-induced oxidative conditions in adult Wistar rats

Abstract

Prolonged alcohol intake exerts damaging effects on the functions of male reproductive organs. This study was designed to investigate the activities of Xylopia aethiopica aqueous seed extract (XA) on oxidative states in male reproductive organ of adult rats exposed to ethanol (30 % v/v) orally for 14 days. The phyto-components were extracted via cold maceration in distilled water for 72h. After 14 days of everyday treatment with an oral dose of 300 mg/kg/p.o with ethanol (30 % v/v), and 10% Tween 80 as controls, the effects of XA on antioxidant enzymes, hematological profile, and semen were examined. Results revealed that XA significantly elevated the concentrations of catalase (CAT) (p < 0.0001) in normal rats; whereas in oxidative state, it increased both CAT (p < 0.001) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p< 0.0001) levels and had negligible effect on malondialdehyde (MDA). Conversely, ethanol only raised the levels of MDA (p < 0.01). For hematological profiles, XA had negligible effects in normal condition however in ethanol-induced oxidative state, it significantly (p < 0.05) raised the percentages of granulocytes (GR) and hematocrit (HCT) but lowered significantly (p < 0.05) the level of lymphocytes (LY). For semen examination; XA had negligible effects on sperm pH and morphology, but significantly increased sperm concentration, count and motility (p < 0.05) respectively in oxidative state. These put forward that XA could have useful effects by preventing oxidative damage in male reproductive organs and enhance male reproductive functions which may well contribute in the treatment and management of male infertility.