The effects of quinine therapy on the seminal fluid analysis and histology of testes of male rats

E. K. Nwangwa¹, J. C. Igweh², U. E. Uzuegbu³ And E. C. Adegor*

¹Department of Physiology, College of Health, Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka (Nigeria) ²Department Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu (Nigeria) ³Department Of Medical Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka (Nigeria)

ABSTRACT: The effects of intra muscular (IM) administration of quinine (Qu) on the seminal fluid analysis and testicular histology was studied. Thirty adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups (6 rats per group). Group 1 (control) were given clean drinking water and rat chow, group 2 were given intra-muscular (IM) quinine injection 10mg/kg body weight + water + rat chow. Group 3 and 4 were given, IM quinine 10mg/kg body weight + water + rat chow and graded proportions of extract of Telfairia occidentalis of 4.5g, and 6.0g, respectively. While Group 5 were given rat chow + water + 6.0g of Telfairia occidentalis. The results show a destruction in the testicular histology, decreased sperm count, activity and morphology of Group 2 administered with quinine only, which was statistically significant (P<0.05), and there was also a dose-dependent improvement in the parameters studied in the Group (3 and 4) given extract of Telfairia occidentalis. Group 5 did not show any Testicular destruction but showed an increase in sperm count, morphology and activity but was not statistically significant (P>0.05). This shows that Qu therapy has a destructive effect on the histology of testes and decreased the sperm count, activity and morphology but these effects could be reversed by the administration of extract of Telfairia occidentalis.

KEYWORDS: Testicular histology; quinine; seminal fluid analysis; Telfairia occidentalis

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