title: Effects of monosodium-L-glutamate administration on serum levels of reproductive hormones and cholesterol, epididymal sperm reserves and testicular histomorphology of male albino rats.
abstract: This study investigated the effects of administration of monosodium L-glutamate (MSG) on serum gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinising hormone (LH), testosterone and total cholesterol (TC), cauda epididymal sperm reserves (CESR) and testicular histomorphology of adult male albino rats. Eighty-four rats, randomly assigned to 7 groups of 12 rats each, were used for the study. Varying low doses (0.25, 0.50 or 1.00 g/kg body weight) of MSG were administered orally or subcutaneously at 48-h intervals for six weeks. Serum GnRH, LH, testosterone and TC, and CESR were evaluated on days 14, 28 and 42 of MSG administration. Testicular histomorphology was evaluated on day 42. The results showed that the mean serum GnRH, LH and testosterone levels, and the CESR of all the treated groups were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of the untreated control on days 14, 28 and 42 of MSG administration. The mean serum TC levels of all the treated groups were also significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of the control group on days 14 and 28. No lesions were observed on sections of the testes. It was concluded that MSG administration for 14, 28 and 42 days led to significantly lower serum levels of GnRH, LH, testosterone and TC, and significantly lower CESR.
authors: University of Nigeria Department of Veterinary Obstetrics and Reproductive Diseases Nsukka Enugu State Nigeria.
authors: Izuchukwu S
authors: IS
authors: Ochiogu
authors: University of Nigeria Department of Veterinary Obstetrics and Reproductive Diseases Nsukka Enugu State Nigeria Ahmadu Bello University Department of Veterinary Surgery and Medicine Zaria Kaduna State Nigeria.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Ogwu
authors: University of Nigeria Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology Nsukka Enugu State Nigeria.
authors: Chukwuka N
authors: CN
authors: Uchendu
authors: University of Nigeria Department of Veterinary Obstetrics and Reproductive Diseases Nsukka Enugu State Nigeria.
authors: Chidozie N
authors: CN
authors: Okoye
authors: University of Nigeria Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology Nsukka Enugu State Nigeria.
authors: John I
authors: JI
authors: Ihedioha
authors: University of Nigeria Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology Nsukka Enugu State Nigeria.
authors: Edmund C
authors: EC
authors: Mbegbu
keywords: Monosodium L-glutamate; albino rats; cholesterol; epididymal sperm reserves; reproductive hormones; testicular histomorphology