Balanites Aegyptiaca Protects Effect of Testis and Fertility against Aluminium Chloride Reproductive Toxicity in Male Rats, Dr. Soheir N. Abd El-Rahman, Ferhad M. Serag Eldin and Walid M. Shehata
Soheir N. Abd El-Rahman, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi Arabia
Ferhad M. Serag Eldin, Saudi Grains Organization (SAGO), Saudi Arabia
Walid M. Shehata, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt
Background: Balanites aegyptiaca contains several steroidal saponins used in the industrial production of sexual hormones.
Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of Balanites aegyptiaca aqueous extract (BAAE) against reproductive toxicity of aluminium chloride (AlCl3) in male rats.
Methods: The study was conducted on 50 male Wister rats weighing 191±2g; the animals were divided into five equal groups G1: Normal Control (NC) group that received distilled water (dw); G2: positive control (PC) group that received AlCl3; G3: treated group that received AlCl3 + 2ml/kg bw/day of BAAE (5g/100ml dw) orally; G4: treated group that received AlCl3 + 2ml/kg bw/day of BAAE (10g/100ml dw) orally; and G5: treated group that received AlCl3 + 2ml/kg bw/day of BAAE (15g/100ml dw) orally. AlCl3 was administered through drinking water at dose 34mg/kg bw for 70 days.
Findings: AlCl3 decreases sperm motility, sperm count (testicular and epididymal), daily sperm production, fructose in semen and semen quality, and serum LH, estradiol and testosterone content, while follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and sperm transit rate were increased. Also, testis showed histological changes, where it induced marked lesions in seminiferous tubules.
Conclusions/recommendations: BAAE at 5%, 10%, 15% were alleviated and controlled the toxic effect of AlCl3. Our results concluded that BAAE has a preventative effect against the reproductive toxicity of AlCl3.
Keywords: Balanites aegyptiaca; reproductive toxicity; aluminium chloride; histological study; male rats
Reference to this paper should be made as follows: S. N. Abd El-Rahman et al (2018) ‘Balanites Aegyptiaca Protects Effect of Testis and Fertility against Aluminium Chloride Reproductive Toxicity in Male Rats’, Int. J. Food, Nutrition and Public Health, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 78–91.
