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Abstract
Garlic is considered to have anti-oxidant properties capable of preventing oxidative stress due to the formation of reactive oxidant species (ROS) which are believed to be a major cause of infertility. This anti-oxidant property of Allium Sativum has not been sufficiently evaluated in male infertility. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ameliorative effect of aqueous extract of Allium Sativum (garlic) on the quality of sperm cells in cadmium-induced infertility in Wistar rats. A total of 30 adult Wistar rats were used for this study. Five rats each were assigned into six groups (A-F). Group A served as the control and was administered regular feed and distilled water only without the extract. Group B was given 10mg/kg body weight of cadmium chloride daily for 2 weeks and then treated with 500mg/kg body weight of aqueous garlic extract daily for another 2 weeks. Group C was given 20mg/kg body weight of cadmium chloride daily for 2 weeks and then treated with 500mg/kg body weight of aqueous garlic extract daily for another 2 weeks. Group D was given 20mg/Kg body weight of cadmium chloride daily for 2 weeks and then treated with 750mg/kg body weight of aqueous garlic extract daily for 2 weeks. Group E was administered no cadmium chloride for the first 2 weeks, but were administered 500mg/kg body weight of aqueous garlic extract daily for the latter 2 weeks. Group F was administered 20mg/Kg body weight of cadmium chloride + 500mg/kg body weight of aqueous garlic extract daily for 4 weeks. At the end ofexperiment, the animals were sacrificed and blood, semen, and testis were collected. Semen analysis was done by microscopic method. The sperm motility, sperm count and sperm morphology were observed and documented. Testes and epididymis of each rat were fixed and histological studies were conducted. The data generated were analyzed using Students’ paired t-test and analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The administration of garlic at different doses produced different responses. Significant decrease in the mean body weight of rats in group F was observed at week 2, and week 3 of administration, total sperm count was significantly lower (253.33±31.80, p<0.001) compared with control (443.33±23.33) in group B only. Increases in sperm motility, viability and reduced number of non-motile sperm cells in group E fed with aqueous extract of garlic only was not statistically significant. Sperm deformity index was significantly higher in group B(0.27±0.03,p<0.011) and group F(0.30±00,p<0.005). The histo-morphology of testis showed varying degrees of degeneration and abnormalities in different groups depending on the dose of administration. The administration of 10mg/kg body weight cadmium chloride induced significantly lower sperm count. It is not clearly equivocal as to whether garlic is able to provide ameriolative effect on seminal parameters in cadmium induced infertility in Wistar rats.
