Irvingia gabonensis seed extracts protect against lead-induced testicular damage in Wistar rats

Abstract

Lead acetate exposure is known to cause testicular injury, adversely affecting sperm parameters and histological integrity. This study sought to assess the preventive effects of the ethanol extract of Irvingia gabonensis seed (EEIG) and its ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) against lead acetate-induced testicular damage in male Wistar rats. Forty-five male Wistar rats (8–10 weeks old, weighing 150–170 g) were randomly allocated into nine groups (n = 5 each). Group I (control) was administered distilled water for a duration of 56 days. Group II was exposed to lead acetate (60 mg/kg) for 28 days only. Groups III–V received lead acetate for the first 28 days, followed by EEIG at 125, 250, or 500 mg/kg BW for the next 28 days. Groups VI–VIII were similarly pretreated with lead acetate and then administered EAF at 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg BW for the subsequent 28 days. Group IX received lead acetate for 28 days, followed by distilled water for the remainder of the period. Sperm parameters, namely, count, motility, live-dead ratio, and abnormal sperm morphology, were assessed. Testicular and epididymal tissues were analysed histologically. Data were analysed utilizing one-way ANOVA with significance eastablished at p <0.05. Lead acetate exposure significantly reduced sperm motility and increased abnormal sperm morphology compared to the control group (p <0.05). Treatment with EEIG and EAF improved sperm parameters, with EAF showing superior effects in restoring sperm motility, reducing abnormal sperm cells, and improving histological integrity compared to the lead-only group. This study suggests that the ethanol extract of I. gabonensis seeds and its ethyl acetate fraction mitigate lead acetate-induced testicular toxicity, highlighting their potential as therapeutic agents against testicular damage.