Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the ameliorative effects of aqueous ginger extract on sperm quality and haematology in lead acetate-treated male albino rats.Methods: Twenty-four male albino rats used for this study were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 6). Group 1 was the normal control. Lead acetate (4 mg/kg) was given to group 2 for 6 weeks. Lead acetate (4 mg/kg) and ginger (300 mg/kg) were given to group 4 simultaneously for 6 weeks, while group 4 was given lead acetate (4 mg/kg) for 6 weeks, and then, ginger (300 mg/kg) for another 6 weeks. Haematological parameters, including packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC) and red blood cell (RBC) counts, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, and differential leukocyte count were evaluated in blood obtained from the retrobulbal plexus of the rats.Results: Sperm motility and viability were markedly lower (p < 0.05) in group 2, in comparison to groups 1 and 3, while sperm motility and viability in group 3 were similar, but differed from group 1 (p < 0.05). The sperm motility and sperm viability of groups 4 and 2 were comparable. Haematological profile showed a marked reduction in the RBC of rats in group 2, when compared to those in groups 1 and 3. The WBC of group 2 was significantly higher than those of groups 1, 3 and 4 (p < 0.05).Conclusion: The results indicate that aqueous ginger extract has the potential to protect sperm quality and haematology in lead acetate treated male rats.
 Keywords: Ginger, Lead acetate, Sperm quality, Haematology
Highlights
Lead (Pb) is a pollutant, that is abundant in the environment, and it is known to be harmful, and poisonous [1]
The objective of this study was to evaluate the ameliorative effects of aqueous ginger extract on the quality of epididymal sperm and haematology in lead acetate treated male albino rats
The significant decrease in sperm motility and viability observed in group 2 animals, when compared to animals in groups 1 and 3 may be due to reactive oxygen species attack caused by lead [18,19]
Summary
Lead (Pb) is a pollutant, that is abundant in the environment, and it is known to be harmful, and poisonous [1]. Pollution of the environment with lead has resulted to toxicities in the kidney, liver, nerves, blood, testis and ovary in man and animals [2]. Research has shown that lead toxicity causes severe damage to the reproductive system, interfering with spermatogenesis, decreases sperm production and quality [5,6]. The mechanism by which lead toxicity causes testicular damage to exposed males is by Ginger has been reported to have a preventive role on ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the rat's kidney [11]. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ameliorative effects of aqueous ginger extract on the quality of epididymal sperm and haematology in lead acetate treated male albino rats
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