Attenuating potential of aluminum sulphate (alum) on testosterone propionate-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in male Wistar rats

Abstract

The effect of aluminum sulphate (alum) on Testosterone propionate (TP)-induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) in male Wistar rats was studied. Eighty mature male Wistar rats, with an average weight of 210g, were randomly distributed into eight groups comprising ten rats. Group 1 received only food and water, while Groups 2, and 4 to 8 were given 3 mg/kg b.w of TP subcutaneously and Group 3 received only 25 % alum solution for 28 days. Thereafter, Groups 4 to 8 were treated with 10%, 20%, 25%, 30%, and 40% alum solution respectively while group 2 remained untreated for another 28 days. The animals were fed with standard rat chow and clean water ad libitum. Sperm morphology and characteristics were observed and measured. A variety of haematological and biochemical markers were assessed. Histopathology of the testes was examined. The volume (0.10 ± 0.00 ml) viability (68.33 ± 4.41 %), activity (41.25 ± 1.25 %), and sperm count (36.67 ± 3.33 ×106) were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in group 2 when compared with the respective values obtained in group 1. Treatment with different concentrations of Alum solution significantly (p<0.05) reversed abnormal sperm features observed in group 2. Superoxide dismutase (0.90 ± 0.01 U/L) was significantly increased (p<0.05) in group 2, but the values were restored to normal after treatment with varying concentrations of Alum solutions. Photomicrographs of the testis of group 2 rats revealed a distorted testis, however, there was a significant recovery after treatment which suggested that treatment with Alum reduces TP-induced BPH.