ABSTRACT

Allium sativum (Garlic) is a perennial flowering plant growing from a bulb. It is a vegetable species that can be classified as either a food or a medicinal herb. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of aqueous extract of Allium sativum (garlic) on Cadmium induced defect on the testis of adult male Wistar rats. Thirty adults male Wistar rats weighing between 160 and 290g were used for this study. They were grouped into six groups of five rats each. Group A served as the control group, Group B was treated with 500mg/kg body weight of the extract, Group C was treated with 1000mg/kg body weight of the extract, and Group D was given with 10mg/kg of Cadmium chloride, Group E was given 10mg/kg of Cadmium chloride and treated with 500mg/kg body weight of the extract, Group F was given 10mg/kg of Cadmium chloride and 1000mg/kg body weight of the extract. All groups were given feed and water ad libitum. This experiment spanned for a period of 60 days, after which the testes and were excised, weighed and fixed in Bouin's fluid for histopathological analysis. Sperm cells were aspirated and analyzed of sperm viability, morphology and count using the counting chamber and a Bi-ocular microscope.Blood was collected through cardiac puncture, centrifuged and then assayed for serum testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luetinizing hormone (LH) analysis. The result showed no significant difference (P<0.05) in the final body weight and testicular weight of the groups administered with 500mg/kg of the extract, 1000mg/kg of the extract and the two groups given cadmium chloride and 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg body weight respectively, while a significant increase in the group treated with cadmium chloride only when compared with the control group. The result of the sperm characteristics showed significant (P<0.05) decrease in total sperm count and normal morphology of the group administered with 10mg/kg of Cadmium chloride when compared to the other groups as when compared to the control. There was also a significant (P<0.05) decrease in motility in the group administered with 10mg/kg of Cadmium chloride when compared to the other groups as when compared to the control. From the hormonal assay carried out, there was a significant (P<0.05) decrease in follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and a decrease in testosterone level in the group that was given 10mg/kg of Cadmium chloride when compared to the other groups as when compared to the control. In conclusion, the results showed that aqueous garlic extract had protective effect on the hormonal parameters, sperm analysis and histomorphology of treated groups and Cadmium chloride has antifertility effect on male rat reproduction as it affects the concentration of testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and spermatogenesis.