title: Aqueous Extract of Allium sativum (Linn.) Bulbs Ameliorated Pituitary-Testicular Injury and Dysfunction in Wistar Rats with Pb-Induced Reproductive Disturbances.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effects of aqueous extract of Allium sativum bulbs (AEASAB) on pituitary-testicular injury and dysfunction in Wistar rats with lead-induced reproductive disturbances.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male Wistar rats were divided into 7 groups such that the control group received propylene glycol at 0.2 ml/100 g intraperitoneally for 10 consecutive days, the toxic group received lead (Pb) alone at 15 mg/kg/day via intraperitoneal route for 10 days while the treatment groups were pretreated with lead as the toxic group after which they received graded doses of the extract at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day via oral route for 28 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pb administration induced significant deleterious alterations in the antioxidant status of the brain and testis, sperm characterization (counts, motility and viability) as well as reproductive hormones (FSH, LH and testosterone) of exposed rats (p < 0.05). These were significantly reversed in the AEASAB-treated groups (p < 0.05). Also, there was marked improvement in the Pb-induced vascular congestion and cellular loss in the pituitary while the observed Pb-induced severe testicular vacuolation was significantly reversed in the representative photomicrographs, following administration of the extract.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AEASAB treatment ameliorated the pituitary-testicular injury and dysfunction in Wistar rats with Pb-Induced reproductive disturbances.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Abiodun O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Ayoka
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Aderonke K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Ademoye
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Christian E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Imafidon
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Esther O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Ojo
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ayowole A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Oladele
keywords: Allium sativum bulbs; Lead Acetate; Pituitary; Rats; Reproductive function; Testis