Toxicological Evaluation of Methanol Extract of Hunteria umbellata Seed on Sperm and Haematological Parameters in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

The effect of chronic administration of methanol seed extract of Hunteria umbellata (HU) on sperm and haematological parameters in male Wister rats were examined for 90 days. Adult male Wister rats were randomly divided into four groups of five rats each. Group 1 received 10 ml/Kg/day of distilled water and served as the control, while groups 2, 3 and 4 received 250 mg/kg/day, 500 mg/kg/day and 1000 mg/kg/day of the extract daily for 90 days by oral gavage. Sperm cells were collected from the vas deferens of the sacrificed male rats for the determination of sperm motility, sperm count and sperm morphology as well as blood samples via the abdominal aorta for haematological assays. Body weight was also recorded. Data were analyzed using One-way ANOVA and P<0.05 was recognized as significant. The result from this studies showed that the extract did not significantly altered (P>0.05) sperm count, motility, morphology as well as the haematological parameters except increase in platelet count as compared with the control group. In conclusion, the results suggests that the prolonged oral treatment with 250-1000 mg/Kg/day of the methanol extract of the seed of Hunteria umbellata did not produce any sperm toxicity but may cause an increase in platelet activity.