Effects of heat stress on some reproductive parameters of male cavie (Cavia porcellus) and mitigation strategies using guava (Psidium guajava) leaves essential oil.
Climate changes, particularly the increase of temperature are among the main causes behind the decline of fertility in humans as well as animals. In this study, the effects of heat stress on some reproductive parameters of male cavies and mitigation strategies using guava leaves essential oil (GLEO) were studied. For this purpose, 40 male cavies aged 2.5-3 months and weighing between 348 and 446g were divided into 4 groups of 10 animals each and subjected to the following temperatures: Ambient temperature (20-25°C) for the control group, 35°C for group 1, 45°C for group 2 and 45°C+100µl GLEO/kg body weight, administered by gavage to animals for group 3. Exposure time of heat was 7h per day for 60 days. Results reveal that the relative weights of testes, epididymis, vas deferens and seminal vesicles were hardly affected by the temperature levels considered (P>0.05). The mass and individual sperm motility was significantly lower (P<0.05) in cavies exposed to the temperature of 35 and 45°C as compared with those which received GLEO and controls. The percentages of abnormal sperm and altered sperm DNA were higher in animals exposed to temperature of 35 and 45°C as compared with the controls. The activity of superoxide dismutase significantly increased (P<0.05) in animals exposed to temperature of 45°C and in those of 45°C and orally treated with GLEO, compared with cavies exposed to temperature of 45°C without receiving GLEO. The level of malondialdehyde was significantly increased (P<0.05) in animals exposed to temperature of 35 and 45°C, whereas the level of nitric oxide was significantly lower (P<0.05) in exposed animals as compared with controls. It was concluded that the exposure of male cavies at 35 and 45°C for 60 days induce heat stress that causes deterioration of sperm characteristics. These effects that can be mitigated by the administration of guava leaves essential oil.
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon. Electronic address: fngoula@yahoo.fr.
Ferdinand
F
Ngoula
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon.
Maryvonne
M
Guemdjo Tekam
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon.
Augustave
A
Kenfack
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon.
Cyrille D'Alex
CD
Tadondjou Tchingo
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon.
Sandrine
S
Nouboudem
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon.
Herman
H
Ngoumtsop
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon.
Borice
B
Tsafack
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon.
Alexis
A
Teguia
Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaounde I Cameroon.
Pierre
P
Kamtchouing
Sezionedi Patologia Veterinaria, Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Udine, Via Sondrio, 233100 Udine, Italy.
Marco
M
Galeotti
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon.
Joseph
J
Tchoumboue
D000818:Animals; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D018869:Heat-Shock Response; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology*; D031647:Psidium / Q000737:chemistry*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005978:Glutathione
Guava leaves essential oil; Heat stress; Male cavy; Reproduction