Histo-Architectural and Testicular Weight Changes in Wistar Rats Fed with Graded Doses of Piliostigma thonningii (Schumach)

Introduction: Piliostigma thonningii is an under explored leguminous plant that belong to the family, Leguminosa – caealpiniodae. The objective of this study therefore was to investigate the effect(s) of its ethanolic leaf extract on male testicular weight and histo-architecture.

Material and Methods: Forty (40) male Wistar rats of an average of 160-200 g weight were used for the experiment. They were randomly divided into four (4) groups of ten (10) rats each. The groups were represented as: group 1 served as control, while groups 2, 3 and 4 were treated with 500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg and 1200 mg/kg of the extract for 14 days respectively. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed, testes harvested, weighed and checked for histological changes in seminiferous tubules, epididymis and vas deference. Where necessary, obtained values were subjected to One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and a level of p < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Results showed that ethanolic leaf extract of P. thonningii caused a significant (p<0.05) decrease in testicular weight following 14days of administration. Histomicrograph showed that 500mg/Kg Piliostigma thonningii for 14 Days caused vascular dilatation and congestion within the lining of the seminiferous tubules, 1000 mg/kg P. thonningii for 14 days caused less deteriorating effects on the histo-architecture of the rats’ testes as the seminiferous tubules appeared normal; even though there was mild hyperplasia of the interstitial cells of Leydig. 1200 mg/kg Piliostigma thonningii caused vascular dilatation and active congestion in the seminiferous tubules with moderate hyperplasia of the interstitial cells of Leydig. Histological features of the testes showed the presence of marked vascular dilatation, active congestion and mild hyperplasia of interstitial cells of Leydig in the testes of rats treated with 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg P. thonningii. Thus, this study has shown that 14 days treatment of 500 mg/kg Piliostigma thonningii caused active interstitial congestion, 1000 mg/kg with plump fibroblast in the epididymis.