EFFECTS OF THE AQUEOUS BARK EXTRACT FROM STRYCHNOS CAMPTONEURA AGAINST 40% ETHANOL-INDUCED MALE INFERTILITY IN MALE GUINEA PIGS(CAVIAPORCELLUS)

The overall objective of this study was to assess the effects of the aqueous extract derived from the bark of Strychnos camptoneura on reproductive functions in male guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) following ethanol 40% intoxication. To assess these effects, 20 guinea pigs were randomly sorted into 4 lots, each containing 5 animals and given distilled water at a dose of 1ml/kg for lot1 ethanol at a dose of 1ml/kg for lot 2 (positive controls) and ethanol at a dose of 1ml/kg for lot 3: ethanol at 1ml/kg and aqueous extract fromStrychnos camptoneura trunk bark at 100mg/kg and for lot 4: ethanol at 1ml/kg and aqueous extract from Strychnos camptoneura bark, given at a dosage of250mg/kg. The results demonstratedthat oral administration of aqueous extract fromStrychnos camptoneura trunk bark (100mg/kg and 250mg/kg) in male guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) after ethanol intoxication 40% moderately stimulates food consumption compared with positive controls given ethanol exclusively. Results demonstrated that oral administration of aqueous extract fromStrychnos camptoneura trunk bark (100 and 250 mg/kg) in ethanol-treated male guinea pigs causes a non-significant (P ˃ 0.05) increase in the weight of vas deferens, seminal vesicles and penis, compared with negative controls given distilled water and positive controls treated exclusively with ethanol.In addition, gavage of the animals at the doses studied produced a significant (P<0.01) dose-dependent increase in testicular and epididymal weights, in contrast to the positive controls, which showed a significant (P<0.01) decrease in these two sexual organs. Treatment with the extract did not result in significant changes (P˃0.05)in the weight of the vas deferens, seminal vesicles, or penis. Oral administration of the aqueous extract of Strychnos camptoneura trunk bark (100 and 250mg/kg) to ethanol-exposed male guinea pigs resulted in highly and highly significant (p<0.01 p<0.001) dose-dependent increases in sperm concentration per epididymal tail compared with lots treated with distilled water and ethanol alone. In addition, there was a highly significant (p< 0.001) dose-relatedincrease in the rate of motile and vital spermatozoa, compared with negative and positive controls given distilled water and ethanol alone.In contrast, a highly significant (p< 0.01 p< 0.001) decrease in sperm count, motility rate and vitality was observed in male guinea pigs treated with ethanol alone. These results show that gavage of the animals with the extract, at the doses studied after exposure to ethanol, results in a non-significant (p˃ 0.05) increase in serum testosterone levels, compared with positive controls. In addition, positive ethanol-only controls were found to experience a significant (p<0.01) decrease in testosterone levels when compared to negative controls receiving distilled water. These results provide evidence that the extract may offer protective benefitsgainst alcohol-induced male infertility, confirming its androgenic and spermatogenic potential.