Haematological Profile and Some Reproductive Indices of Male Albino Rats Treated with Ethanolic Stem Bark Extract of Picralima nitida

Aim: To evaluate the effects of graded doses of ethanolic stem bark extract of Picralima nitida on haematological profile, some serum reproductive hormones, sperm reserves and testicular histomorphology of male albino rats.

Study Design: Thirty male albino rats, weighing between 120 and 200 grams were randomly assigned into six groups of five rats each. Group A received 0.5 ml of distilled water (normal control). Groups B, C and D received 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg BW of the extract respectively. Group E received 2.5 mg/kg BW of CdCl2 (negative control), while Group F received 5 mg/kg BW of Sildenafil (positive control); orally every other day for six weeks.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology (Laboratory Animal Unit), University of Nigeria, Nsukka, between June and September, 2015.

Methodology: At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected for haematology and serology, whereas testicular sections were collected for histopathology following the standards procedures. Data obtained were analyzed by One-way ANOVA.

Results: The result showed that all doses of the extract increased neutrophil count, but decreased (P < 0.05) monocyte and RBC counts; 200 and 400 mg/kg BW of the extract decreased (P < 0.05) PCV values; and only 400 mg/kg of the extract reduced (P < 0.05) HB values. 200 and 400 mg/kg BW of the extract, and 2.5 mg/kg BW of CdCl2 decreased (P < 0.05) serum testosterone and sperm counts. The normal control, 100 mg/kg BW of the extract and 5 mg/kg BW of Sildenafil had normal testicular histoarchitecture; whereas 200 and 400 mg/kg BW of the extract, and 2.5 mg/kg BW of CdCl2 had slight, moderate and severe degeneration of the germinal epithelium and interstitium, with depletion of sperm cells in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules respectively.

Conclusion: This study revealed that treatment with ethanolic stem bark extract of Picralima nitida above 100 mg/kg BW adversely affected haematological and reproductive parameters in male albino rats.