Combined effect of ethanol extract of mucuna urens (horse-eye beans seed) and ethanol extract of zingiber officinale (ginger rhizome) on sperm motility in male wistar albino rats

Thesis Overview

<p> </p><p><b>INTRODUCTION</b></p><p><b>1.1 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Background of the Study</b></p><p>The understanding of<br>male reproductive function and the importance of male factor in infertility has<br>advanced significantly in the recent time. The reproductive function of male is<br>divided into three major subdivisions: spermatogenesis, performance of the male<br>sexual act and regulation of male reproductive functions by the various<br>hormones. Association with these function are the effects of male sex hormones<br>on the accessory sexual organs, cellular metabolism, growth and other body<br>functions (Guyton and Hall, 2011)<i>. </i>Infertility<br>is a disease of reproductive system defined by failure to achieve the clinical<br>pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse (Zegers-Hochschild<br><i>et al.,</i>&nbsp;2009). Infertility is one of<br>the major health challenges in life approximately 30% of infertility is due to<br>male factor <i>(</i>Isidori<i>&nbsp;et al., 2006).</i></p><p>Factors affecting male<br>infertility are classified into pre-testicular, testicular and post-testicular <i>(</i>Balen,2008<i>).</i>&nbsp;This may cause the testicles producing a decreased number of<br>sperm or disturbance along the path preventing cells from maturing into sperm<br>production or reaching the woman fallopian tube where fertilization occur. Germ<br>cells are gradually transformed into spermatozoa. This occurs in the<br>seminferous tubules of the testes. It is divided into three stages <i>(</i>Cuninghan and Kelvin, 2007<i>)</i>. Proliferative phase: Spermatogonia-Spermatocytes,<br>Meiotic phase: spermatocytes – spermatids, Differentiation phase:<br>(Spermiogenesis) spermatids-spermatozoa <i>(</i>Hess,<br>1999<i>).</i>Several conditions interfere<br>with spermatogenesis and reduce sperm quality and production,</p><p>Semen is an organic fluid that may<br>contains spermatozoa. It is secreted by the gonads (sexual glands). Seminal<br>fluid contains spermatozoa, proteolytic enzymes and fructose which promote the<br>survival of spermatatozoa and provide a medium through which they move or swim <i>(</i>Ali<i><br>et al., 2015)</i>. Male infertility can be assess through semen analysis and<br>reproductive hormonal profile <i>(</i>Jungwirth<i>, et al</i>., 2012<i>)</i>. Male infertility is commonly due to deficiencies in the semen and<br>semen quality <i>(</i>Cooper<i>&nbsp;et al.,</i>2010<i>).</i></p><p>Males with sperm<br>parameters below the WHO normal values are considered to have male factor<br>infertility. Most significant of these are low sperm concentration (oligospermia),<br>poor sperm motility (asthenospermia), and abnormal sperm morphology<br>(tetratospermia). Factors less associated with infertility include semen volume<br>and other serminal markers of epididymal, prostatic and serminal vesicle function<br><i>(</i>Harris<i>&nbsp;et al.,</i>2011<i>).</i>&nbsp;Positive<br>association exit between abnormal semen parameters and sperm count <i>(</i>Sebra<i>&nbsp;et al., 2014)</i>.</p><p>Abnormality in sperm<br>count, motility and morphology arises from disarray in control mechanism,<br>including pre-testicular, testicular and post testicular factors <i>(</i>Wamoto<i>&nbsp;et al.,</i>2007). Semen analysis remains the single most useful and<br>fundamental investigation to detect men with a genuine problem of male<br>infertility (Butt<i>&nbsp;et al.,</i>2013). It is<br>a simple test that assesses the formation and maturity of sperm as well as how<br>the sperm interacts in the serminal fluid. It also provides insight not only on<br>sperm production (count), but the sperm quality (motility and morphology) as<br>well <i>(</i>Fisch,2008<i>)</i>. As many as 2% men exhibits suboptimal sperm parameters, which<br>may be one or a combination of low sperm concentration, poor sperm motility, or<br>abnormal morphology (Kumar<i>&nbsp;et al.,</i>2015<i>)</i>.</p><p><i>Mucuna<br>urens</i>&nbsp;also known as Ox-eye beans is a common soup thickener<br>consumed mostly in South Eastern states in Nigeria, it is a plant belonging to<br>the family <i>fabaceae</i>, commonly found<br>in home and gardens in the south eastern part of Nigeria, West Africa, where<br>the Efiks, Ibibio and Igbos uses the seed as a major soup condiment for<br>thickening (Achivewhu, 1984). It is incorporated into the normal feed for farm<br>animals in the North due to its protein content <i>(</i>Umoren<i>&nbsp;et al.,</i>&nbsp;2007).<i>&nbsp;Mucuna urens</i>&nbsp;is called “Ibaba” by the<br>Efik/Ibibios and “Ukpor” by the Igbos and usually sold in the local markets<br>during the harvest season ie January <i>(</i>Eilitta<br><i>et al.,</i>&nbsp;2003). It may be found throughout<br>the year.<i>&nbsp;Mucuna urens </i>requires<br>support for growth hence cultivated near trees. This enables production of many<br>seeds per plant <i>(</i>Sridhar<i>&nbsp;et al.,</i>2007). Other names for<i>&nbsp;Mucuna urens</i>include Horse eye bean,<br>Ox-eye bean and devil bean. <i>Mucuna urens</i><br>had been found to contain some endogenous toxic factors. High concentration of<br>tannis, phytic acid, cynogenic glucoside, oxalate and gossypol has been<br>reportedin<i>&nbsp;Mucuna urens (</i>Laurena<i>&nbsp;et al., 1994).</i></p><p>Toxic compounds<br>including L-DOPA (3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine), nicotine, physostigmine and<br>serotonine are found in<i>&nbsp;Mucuna urens</i>,<br>which also act as anti-nutritive value of<i><br>Mucuna urens </i>(Umoren<i>&nbsp;et al.,</i>2007)<i>. Mucuna urens</i>&nbsp;seed extract causes sperm<br>degeneration in testicular tubules,collapse of villi in the prostate gland and seminal<br>vesicles of male guinea-pigs <i>(</i>Udoh<br>and Ekpeyong, 2001).</p><p>Ginger rhizome (<i>Zingiber officinale Roscoe</i>; Family: <i>Zingibercease)</i>&nbsp;is used worldwide as a<br>spice. It has both anti-oxidative and androgenic activities in animal models (Sekiwa<br><i>et al.,</i>2000, Kantch Oung<i>&nbsp;et al., 2002).</i>&nbsp;The local names of<br>ginger includes; ‘Afa-ije’ in Yoruba and ‘Jinja’ in Igbo/Efik/Ibibios. Ginger<br>rhizome contains active ingredients such as Zingerone, Gingerdiol,<br>Zingibren,Gingerol and shogaols which have antioxidants activity (Zulican<i>&nbsp;et al.,</i>2002). Ginger is a great source<br>of manganese, essential to man’s sex drive and sperm count by helping the body<br>produce testosterone. Ginger oil has protective effect on DNA damage induced by<br>H2O2 and might be used as antioxidant (Grzarana<i>&nbsp;et al., </i>2005). Antioxidant protects DNA<br>and other important molecules from oxidation and damage which can improve sperm<br>quality and consequently increase fertility rate in men <i>(</i>Rajeer<i>&nbsp;et al., </i>2006).</p><p>Ginger is a native of<br>South Eastern Asia but over the centuries has been spread to various part of<br>the world including Africa. In Nigeria, the highest producer of ginger is<br>Kaduna state, others includes Gombe, Bauchi, Benue, Nassarawa among others.<br>Ginger is available in various forms; Fresh ginger rhizome, powder ginger and<br>dry ginger rhizome. A mature ginger rhizome is fibrous and has a striated<br>texture. The outer skin of the rhizome is brownish in colour while the inner<br>flesh depending on the variety may be red, yellow or white. For effective<br>cultivation of ginger the following conditions are required; mulched fertile<br>soil, loam is the most preferred soil type, ridges and a minimum annual<br>rainfall of about 1500mm. An average temperature of about 300C,<br>viable ginger rhizomes with buds and good drainage prevents water logging/flooding.</p><p><b>1.2 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Statement of the Problem</b></p><p>Despite the<br>degenerative effect of <i>Mucuna urens</i><br>seed on spermatogenesis and seminal parameters, it is of great benefit to<br>humanity, agriculturally it serves as a cover crops, to food technologist it is<br>used as a thickening agent in soup; medically sap from the cut liana is rubbed<br>on sprains, rheumatic areas, contusions, sore muscles and used for children’s<br>fever. It also has anti-anaemic effect, antibacterial effect and inhibitory<br>activity on some enzyme. Ginger is been used daily as food spices and in herbal<br>medicine which increases semen volume, sperm count and testosterone level. This<br>research project shall provide further insights into the causes and treatment<br>of male infertility through semen analysis caused by the effect of <i>Mucuna urens</i>&nbsp;and Zingiber officinale.</p><p><b>1.3 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Significance of the Study</b></p><p>The result of this<br>study will increase knowledge to the existing literature about the effect of<br>ethanol seed extract of <i>Mucuna urens</i><br>and ginger on semen analysis.</p><p><b>1.4 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Aim and Objective of the Study</b></p><p>This research was aimed<br>at investigating the serious danger of consumption of<i>&nbsp;Mucuna urens</i>&nbsp;seed and the counter effect of ginger rhizome on<br>semen analysis. &nbsp; Its objectives include;</p><p>i. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <br>To investigate changes in semen analysis<br>in male albino rats administered with ethanol seed extract of <i>Mucuna urens</i>.</p><p>ii. &nbsp; &nbsp; To<br>investigate changes in semen analysis in male albino rats administered with<br>ethanol extract of Ginger rhizome.</p><p>iii. &nbsp; To<br>investigate the counter effect of ethanol extract of ginger rhizome on semen<br>abnormalities induced by the administration of ethanol seed extract of <i>Mucuna urens</i>&nbsp;in male albino rats.</p><p><b>1.5 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Scope of the Study</b></p><p>The<br>scope of this study includes;</p><p>i. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <br>Ethanol extraction of <i>Mucuna urens</i>&nbsp;seed and <i>Zingiber officinale Roscoe.</i></p><p>ii. &nbsp; &nbsp; Concentration<br>of ethanol extract of <i>Mucuna urens </i>seed<br>and ethanol extract of <i>Zingiber officinale<br></i>in a water bath.</p><p>iii. &nbsp; Determination<br>of Lethal Dose (LD50) for<i><br>Mucuna urens</i>&nbsp;seed extract and <i>Zingiber<br>officinale </i>using mice.</p><p>iv. &nbsp; Determination<br>of body weight of experimental animals.</p><p>v. &nbsp; &nbsp; Administration<br>of ethanol seed extract of <i>Mucuna urens</i><br>and ethanol extract <i>Zingiber officinale </i>to<br>experimental animals.</p><p>vi. &nbsp; Monitoring<br>of body weight and size of experimental animals with respect to dosage of the<br>extracts.</p><p>vii. Collection<br>of semen and determination of semen analysis.</p> <br><p></p>