Studies have demonstrated the harmful consumption of palm wine (PW) in rats’ reproduction. These include impairment of sperm parameters such as sperm motility, count, viability and morphology. In addition, Amaranthus hybridus (AH) has been shown to protect against the effects of noxious substances. This study aims to investigate the protective potential of AH in PW-induced testicular toxicity in Wistar rats. The rats were randomly divided into seven groups, with five rats each. The treatment of all groups lasted for 8 weeks (orally administered).
Group A received 5 ml/kg normal saline; Group B rats received 50 mg/kg AH; Group C received 100 mg/kg AH; Group D received 5 ml/kg PW; Group E received 10 ml/kg PW for 56 days; Group F received 5 ml/kg PW + 50 mg/kg Amaranthus hybridus for 56 days; Group G received 10 ml/kg palm wine + 100/kg Amaranthus hybridus. Body weight increased in all treated groups but was not significantly different from the control. Testicular weight and volume decreased in all treated groups, with significant changes in the testis weight to body weight ratio in groups D and E. Groups A-C maintained normal sperm parameters. Chronic consumption of PW results in a decrease in sperm count and motility and an increase in dysmorphology. Furthermore, AH administration results in increased sperm count and motility and a decrease in dysmorphology. The AH protects against decreased sperm count, motility and dysmorphology in PW-induced testiculotoxicity in rats.
