TERMINALIA CATAPPA SEED OIL (TCSO) MODULATES FERTILITY HORMONES DYSFUNCTION AND REDOX IMBALANCE IN MALE WISTAR ALBINO RATS EXPOSED TO CIGARETTE SMOKE

The objective of the Study: Terminalia Catappa seed oil (TCSO) modulates fertility hormone dysfunction and redox imbalance in male Wistar albino rats exposed to cigarette smoke. Methods: A total of 36 male Wistar albino rats were randomly distributed into 6 groups (A – F) of 6 rats each. Group A received normal saline and rat feed only. Group B – F were exposed to cigarette smoke for a period of 90 minutes. Group B was left untreated. Groups C - E were treated with 5.0, 2.5, and 7.5 ml/kg body weight (bw) of TCSO respectively. Group F was treated with 100 mg/kg bw of ascorbic acid. The animals were allowed free access to drinking water. Exposure to cigarette smoke was done by inhalation using the box method once daily while administrations of the seed oil and ascorbic acid were done by oral intubation twice daily for 28 weeks. The serum male fertility hormones and oxidative stress markers were determined using standard biochemical procedures. Results: There were marked elevated serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced levels of luteinizing hormones (LH), testosterone, estradiol, reduced glutathione (GSH), decreased activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in Wistar albino rats exposed to cigarette smoke. Interestingly, the treatment of Wistar albino rats exposed to cigarette smoke with TCSO restored the hormonal dysfunction and redox imbalance. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that TCSO was able to restore male hormonal dysfunction and redox imbalance in rats exposed to cigarette smoke and hence could be beneficial in the management of male hormonal and oxidative imbalance associated with cigarette smoking linked to male infertility