Effects of Banana Blossom (Musa Acuminate) and Silymarin on the Histology of the Testis and Testicular Sperm Concentration Following Lead Acetate Induced Toxicity in Albino Wistar Rats

Abstract

This study was aimed to determine the Effects of Banana Blossom (Musa Acuminate) and Silymarin on the Histology of the Testis and Testicular Sperm Concentration Following Lead Acetate (LA) Induced Toxicity in Albino Wistar Rats. Thirty male albino Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups. Group I serve as the control group. Group II was treated with 150mg/kg of LA. Group III was administered 150mg/kg LA and 200mg/kg banana blossom (BB) aqueous extract. Group IV received 150mg/kg of LA and 400mg/kg BB. Group V received 150mg/kg of LA plus 100mg/kg Silymarin. Group VI received BB only. Lead acetate was administered for 2 weeks followed by BB and Silymarin treatment for three weeks. Animals were sacrificed and the testes were removed. The result of this study showed that testicular sperm concentration was significantly reduced in the group treated with LA only, while the groups that were treated with BB and Silymarin showed non-significant decreased when compared to the LA group. Lead acetate caused severe degeneration of seminiferous tubules, thickening and disruption of the basement membrane and degeneration of the interstitial connective tissue, while banana blossom and Silymarin showed some degree of amelioration with the micrograph showing moderate to mild degeneration of seminiferous tubules, Spermatogenic Series cells, diminished basement membrane and the interstitial connective tissue. The group that received BB only also showed mild distortion of cyto-architecture of the testicular tissue. Higher doses of 500mg/kg and above as seen in this study may affect the integrity of the testicular tissue.