Diet formulated with black seed flour activates regulatory androgenic enzymes and neuroendocrine hormones in leachate-exposed reproductive damage of rat testes

Abstract

Mixed environmental toxicants particularly mixed-metals had been implicated as testicular endocrine disruptors. Functional foods were applied in traditional medicine since decades for the treatment of several reproductive defects with limited scientific basis. The finding examines the steroidogenic proteins and neuroendocrine hormones linked to spermatogenesis and testicular wellness when exposed to toxicant-liquid from Elewi-odo vehicle-battery recycling site (EOMABRL) in rat, following treatment with black seed flour. Rats were distributed into six assemblages (n = 8): normal rats; normal rats administered with 10% and 20% black seed flour (BSF), respectively; testicular exposed rat; exposed rats treated with 10% and 20% supplementation of BSF, respectively; for 14 days. EOMABRL intoxication inhibited Δ⁵ 3β-HSD and Δ⁵ 17β-HSD activities and declined FSH, LH and testosterone levels. Diet supplemented with BSF at 10% and 20% significantly (p < 0.05) increased testicular steroidogenic enzymes (Δ^5-17β-HSD and Δ^5-17β-HSD) as well neuroendocrine hormones (LH, FSH) and testosterone levels in EOMABRL-intoxicated rats. Also, BSF prevented the alterations associated with spermatogenesis by potentiating seminiferous tubules (STs) and spermatocytes. We therefore concluded that diet formulated with BSF triggers the production of testicular endocrine hormones and hypothalamus pituitary–testicular axis via resuscitating germ cells in compromised rats.