Testicular toxicity of Nigerian bonny light crude oil in male albino rats.
The purpose of this work was to investigate the testicular effects of Nigerian bonny light crude oil on male albino rats. Male albino rats were administered 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg body weight of bonny light crude oil dissolved in Tween 80 in their drinking water for 7 days, while the control group received Tween 80 in their drinking water only. After 7 days, the rats were sacrificed and testis excised, weighed, and processed for histological examination. Treatment with bonny light crude oil showed a dose-dependent decrease in the absolute weight of the testes, and a significant (P < 0.05) dose-dependent reduction in the epididymal sperm number (ESN). The final body weights of the animals treated with crude oil were also significantly (P < 0.05) decreased. Histological evaluation of the testes showed slight to severe degeneration or even complete absence of seminiferous tubules and necrosis of cells depending on the dose of the crude oil. This study suggests that the Nigerian bonny light crude oil is a testicular toxicant and its use as a folklore medicine may cause infertility.
Orisakwe
Orish Ebere
OE
Department of Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, PMB 5001, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. eorish@aol.com
Akumka
David Dezi
DD
Njan
Anoka Ayembe
AA
Afonne
Onyenmechi Johnson
OJ
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004326:Drinking / Q000187:drug effects; D004822:Epididymis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010578:Petroleum / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D013076:Sperm Count; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology*; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology
D010578:Petroleum