Evaluation of the Effects of Ethanolic Extract of Sesamum Indicum Seeds on Sperm Morphology and Viability in KetoconazoleInduced Testicular Damage in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Aim: The study was aimed at evaluating the effects of ethanolic extract of Sesamum indicum seeds on sperm morphology and viability in ketoconazole induced testicular damage in Wistar rats. Methods: Forty eight adult male Wistar rats were divided into eight Groups of six rats each. Groups 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and 8 were administered 1ml of normal saline, 100 mg /kg body weight (bwt) of Ketoconazole only, 500 mg/kg bwt of ethanolic extract of sesamum indicum (EESI) seeds then100 mg/kg bwt of Ketoconazole, 100 mg/kg bwt of Ketoconazole then 250 mg /kg body weight of EESI seeds,100 mg/kg bwt of Ketoconazole then 500 mg/kg bwt of EESI, 100 mg/kg body weight of Ketoconazole then 0.36 mg/kg body weight of Mesterolone, 0.36 mg/kg body weight of Mesterolone, 500 mg/kg body weight of EESI respectively. All administrations were carried out orally once per day. The sperm smears were collected for semen analyses. Result: A significant increase in the abnormalities of sperm morphology and viability respectively were noted in the group administered ketoconazole alone (Group 2) compared with other experimental Groups (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: The administration of ethanolic extract of Sesamum indicum appeared to have minimized the damages and sperm deaths caused by ketoconazole which may be due to its androgenic properties.