Authors :
Gekpe, C. G.; Adie P. U.; Beshel, J. A.; Ofem, O. E.
Volume/Issue :
Volume 8 - 2023, Issue 11 - November
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/33bdbune
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/4kca3msh
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10209988
Abstract :
Infertility in animals is one of the most
widespread problems with 48.5 million of the world
population being infertile. Cadmium is a ubiquitous
heavy metal and a toxic pollutant in the biosphere which
has been implicated as one of the factors responsible for
infertility. This work was therefore conducted to
ascertain the effects of omega-3 and/or quercetin on
cadmium- induced infertility in rats. 42 Wistar rats were
assigned into 7 groups of 6 rats each and fed for 8 weeks
with normal rat feed and drinking water. The treatment
groups took either of cadmium chloride, omega-3 fatty
acid and/or quercetin. The sham control groups 1 and 2
took olive oil (0/1mL/kg body wt. o.p) and DMSO
(1mL/kg body wt. o.p) respectively. Semen was obtained
from the epididymis and blood samples were collected
for measurement of some sex hormones. Results
obtained showed that the seminal parameters and sex
hormones in the sham control groups were not
significantly different from normal control. The LD50 for
cadmium was 3.90mg/kg bw. Total sperm, motile and
viable sperm counts reduced significantly (p<0.05) in Cd
treated group compared with control (20.00 ±1.92 x106/;
75.00 ±9.49% and 85.00 ±6.32%), omega-3 and/or
quercetin groups. Seminal fructose, serum LH and FSH
concentrations reduced significantly in Cd groups
compared with control, omega-3 and/or quercetin
groups. Cytoarchitecture of testes in Cd group showed
severe structural damage to the seminiferous tubules,
sertoli cells, vacuolation and destruction of seminiferous
epithelium. These were ameliorated in omega-3 and/or
quercetin treated groups. In conclusion, administration
of quercetin or omega-3 ameliorates the adverse effects
of Cd on sperm function parameters and fertility
hormones (FSH, LH, testosterone). Quercetin or omega-
3 also prevents the destructive effects of Cd on testicular
cells and sperm production. Quercetin or omega-3 had
variable effects in ameliorating the adversity of
Cadmium. However, combination of both quercetin and
omega-3 produced a better ameliorating effect than
when administered singly.
Keywords :
Fertility, sex hormones, sperm, semen, cadmium, Quercetin, Omega-3 fatty acid.
Infertility in animals is one of the most
widespread problems with 48.5 million of the world
population being infertile. Cadmium is a ubiquitous
heavy metal and a toxic pollutant in the biosphere which
has been implicated as one of the factors responsible for
infertility. This work was therefore conducted to
ascertain the effects of omega-3 and/or quercetin on
cadmium- induced infertility in rats. 42 Wistar rats were
assigned into 7 groups of 6 rats each and fed for 8 weeks
with normal rat feed and drinking water. The treatment
groups took either of cadmium chloride, omega-3 fatty
acid and/or quercetin. The sham control groups 1 and 2
took olive oil (0/1mL/kg body wt. o.p) and DMSO
(1mL/kg body wt. o.p) respectively. Semen was obtained
from the epididymis and blood samples were collected
for measurement of some sex hormones. Results
obtained showed that the seminal parameters and sex
hormones in the sham control groups were not
significantly different from normal control. The LD50 for
cadmium was 3.90mg/kg bw. Total sperm, motile and
viable sperm counts reduced significantly (p<0.05) in Cd
treated group compared with control (20.00 ±1.92 x106/;
75.00 ±9.49% and 85.00 ±6.32%), omega-3 and/or
quercetin groups. Seminal fructose, serum LH and FSH
concentrations reduced significantly in Cd groups
compared with control, omega-3 and/or quercetin
groups. Cytoarchitecture of testes in Cd group showed
severe structural damage to the seminiferous tubules,
sertoli cells, vacuolation and destruction of seminiferous
epithelium. These were ameliorated in omega-3 and/or
quercetin treated groups. In conclusion, administration
of quercetin or omega-3 ameliorates the adverse effects
of Cd on sperm function parameters and fertility
hormones (FSH, LH, testosterone). Quercetin or omega-
3 also prevents the destructive effects of Cd on testicular
cells and sperm production. Quercetin or omega-3 had
variable effects in ameliorating the adversity of
Cadmium. However, combination of both quercetin and
omega-3 produced a better ameliorating effect than
when administered singly.
Keywords :
Fertility, sex hormones, sperm, semen, cadmium, Quercetin, Omega-3 fatty acid.
