Effect of lead acetate and the role of Nigella sativa in the fertility of male rat

Abstract

Thirty male rats were divided into six groups , The first and second group were divided into six groups , the first and second group were administrated with lead at dose ( 2 , 6 ) mg / kg of body weight respectively . Extract of Nigella sativa was ingested in drinking water at dose ( 200 ) mg drinking water to third group , the fourth group was ingested extract of Nigella sativa at dose 200 mg / kg drinking water and administrated with lead at dose ( 2 ) mg / kg of body weight while fifth group was ingested extract of Nigella sativa at dose ( 200 ) mg / L drinking water and administrated with lead at dose ( 6 ) mg / kg of body weight .The sixth group considered as a control group so it was not given extract of Nigella sativa or lead .Experiment continued for four weeks .Animals were weighted and anesthetized . Blood samples were collected and serum isolated to measure testosterone level . Testis , epididymis , seminal vesicle and prostate were removed total sperm count , sperm motility and sperm abnormality were calculated . Histological sections were prepared for testis to measure the number of spermatogenesis cells and diameters of seminiferous tubules .Results showed significant decrease in weights ( testis , epididymis , seminal vesicle and prostate ) testosterone level and sperms parameters in first and second as compared with all other groups in the experiment , while there was significant increase in testosterone level in third group as compared with other groups . Results of histological study demonstrated significant decrease in all types of spermatogenic cells and diameter of seminferus tubules in first and second groups as compared with the other groups .While there was significant increase in these histological testes in third group in comparison with other groups . In fourth and fifth groups there were insignificant improvement in these testes as compared with first and second groups .In this study it is concluded that the treatment with extract of Nigella sativa decreased the toxic effects of lead in the reproductive system of male rats .