Amelioration of Spermiogram and Reproductive Hormonal Changes with Nigella Sativa and Eurycoma Longifolia Treatments in Rats Exposed to Lead Acetate
Aim The current study was designed to estimate the influence of Nigella sativa and Eurycoma longifolia pre-treatment and Lead acetate administration on the reproductive hormonal and spermiogram of rats. Materials and Methods: Five groups of Sprague Dawley rats have been divided into 6 rats each. Distilled water was given to Group 1 (NC) and set as the negative control. Lead acetate 20 mg/kg/day orally for one month was administered to Group 2 (PC) and set as the positive control. Group 3 (T1) were administered 20 mg/kg LA and 300 mg/kg Nigella sativa both orally/day for one month. Group 4 (T2) were received 20 mg/kg LA and 500 mg/kg Eurycoma longifolia orally/day for one month. Group 5 (T3) were administered 300 mg/kg Nigella sativa, 20 mg/kg LA, and 500 mg/kg Eurycoma longifolia orally/day for one month. Results: In this study, five groups of Sprague Dawley rats have been divided into 6 male rats each and grouped as follows; Group 1(Negative control); Group 2 (Positive control; 20mg/kg lead acetate); Group 3 (LA 20mg/kg + NS 300mg/kg); Group 4 (LA 20mg/kg + EL 500mg/kg); Group 5 (LA 20mg/kg+ NS 300mg/kg + EL 500mg/kg). All administrations were given daily for 30 days. The rats were euthanized and serum and epididymal samples were collected for reproductive hormonal assays and spermiogram determination. The estrogen concentration was less (p less than 0.05) in the EL treated group, whereas in the positive control (PC), the concentration of follicle stimulation hormones, as well as luteinizing hormones, were lower (p less than 0.05). Testosterone concentration was found to be higher (p less than 0.05) in the PC in comparison to other groups. The motility, concentration, and viability of the sperm were all low in the PC and high (p less than 0.05) in the treatment groups. The sperm abnormality was higher in the PC in compared with other groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study showed the preventive effect of Nigella sativa and Eurycoma longifolia administration against alterations in spermiogram and hormones caused by LA.