Countering the effects of lead as an environmental toxicant on the microanatomy of female reproductive system of adult wistar rats using aqueous extract of Ficus vogelii

Abstract

BackgroundLead without nutritional value is a widely studied occupational and environmental toxicant. Leads’ toxic effects on female reproduction are decreased fertility, inability to sustain pregnancy and reduced pregnancy. ObjectiveThis study aimed at examining the effect of oral administration of lead acetate (1.5 mg/kg) on the histology of female albino Wistar rats’ ovary and Uterus and the extracts’ protective role against toxicity. MethodsThe experiment took 28 days involving 25 female Wistar rats divided into 5 groups A, B, C, D and E. A is an untreated group that received normal saline, D lead acetate group that received lead acetate solution, E received aqueous extract, B and C low and high dose of aqueous extract respectively and lead acetate solution. ResultsThe positive control group showed a significant increase in SOD at P ≤ 0.01 compared to the negative control. Group E showed significant decrease ovarian SOD. The organs weights were significantly reduced in group D. The changes seen in the organs include oedema, necrosis, optical empty spaces, denudations and fatty changes. Administrating the extract protected the organs against the lead acetate. These alterations are shown to cause infertility in female rats. ConclusionThe results suggested that the extract has protective role against lead reproductive toxicity.