Department of Anatomy, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria
Maina, M.B., Department of Anatomy, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria; Garba, S.H., Department of Anatomy, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria; Jacks, T.W., Department of Anatomy, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria
This research was carried out as a preliminary study to determine the histological effect of a herbal tea mixture on the rat testis. A total of 25 adult male albino rats of the Wister strain were used, they were randomly divided into five groups of five rats each. Group I served as control, while rats in groups II-IV were administered 2, 4 and 8 g kg-1 body weight of the herbal tea, respectively for 28 days. Rats in group V were administered 8 g kg-1 of the herbal tea for 28 days and allowed to stay for 14 days post treatment to observe for reversibility, persistence or delayed occurrence of toxic effects. At the end of the experimental periods, the animals were sacrificed and the weights of the testes recorded, fixed and processed for routine histological technique. Administration of the herbal tea to rats showed a significant increase in body weights, but testicular weights were unaffected. Histological examination of the rat's testis revealed interstitial edema and congestion of blood vessels in the testes of the treated rats. Withdrawal of the herbal tea for 14 days showed a slight degree of recovery in the rats. These findings suggests that the histological organization of the testis can significantly be altered with continuous and increase use of the herbal tea mixture. Further studies to determine the effect of the tea on the morphometry, biometry and hormonal profile of the rat's testes following long term exposure will be useful. © 2008 Academic Journals Inc.
