ABSTRACT. This study evaluated the effect of Cd on some male reproductive parameters; and explored the therapeutic potentials of methanolic extract of Phoenix dactylifera (MEPD) fruit in averting such reproductive damages. 45 rabbit bucks aged 24-28 weeks and weighing 1.41-1.43 kg was used. The rabbits were assigned to 5 treatment groups (control, Cd-only, Cd + 300 mg MEPD, Cd + 600 mg MEPD and Cd + 900 mg MEPD) in a completely randomized design. The rabbits were dosed with 3 mg CdCl 2 kg -1 feed for 7 days followed by MEPD for 56 days after every 72 hours. Result of semen evaluation indicates that semen volume, motility, libido, concentration, total ejaculate, viability and morphology were significantly reduced by Cd compared to the normal control group. Testis density and epididymis length of the control rabbits were significantly different from the Cd-only exposed rabbits. Histopathological examination revealed severe testicular damage due to Cd. Indeed, treatment with MEPD significantly reversed the deleterious reproductive effects caused by Cd. In conclusion, cadmium drastically affected the testis of rabbits and treatment with MEPD alleviated some deleterious effects.Keywords: testis, sperm, heavy metal, methanol, plant extract.Características do sêmen, morfometria testicular e histopatologia de cadáveres de coelho expostos, administrado extrato metanólico de frutos de Phoenix dactylifera RESUMO. Este estudo avaliou o efeito da Cd em alguns parâmetros reprodutivos masculinos e explorou os potenciais terapêuticos de extrato metanólico de Phoenix dactylifera (MEPD), fruto na prevenção de tais danos reprodutivos. Foram utilizados 45 machos de coelho com idade entre 24-28 semanas e pesando 1,41-1,43 kg. Os coelhos foram designados a cinco grupos de tratamento (controle, Cd-apenas, Cd+300 mg MEPD, Cd+600 mg MEPD e Cd+900 mg MEPD) num delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Os coelhos foram doseados com 3 mg de CdCl2 kg -1 de alimento durante sete dias seguido por MEPD durante 56 dias após cada 72h. O resultado da avaliação do sêmen indica que o volume de sêmen, a motilidade, a libido, a concentração, a ejaculação total, a viabilidade e a morfologia foram significativamente reduzidos pelo Cd em comparação com o grupo controle normal. A densidade do testículo e o comprimento do epidídimo dos coelhos de controle foram significativamente diferentes dos coelhos expostos. O exame histopatológico revelou dano testicular grave devido ao Cd. Na verdade, o tratamento com MEPD reverteu significativamente os efeitos deletérios reprodutivos causados por Cd. Em conclusão, o cádmio afetou muito os testículos de coelhos e o tratamento com MEPD aliviou alguns efeitos deletérios.Palavras-chave: testículo, esperma, metal pesado, metanol, extrato vegetal.

El estudio pretende evaluar el efecto de Xylopia aethiopica sobre las funciones reproductivas del conejo macho. Se emplearon conejos macho de 46-48 semanas con un peso medio de 2,98 kg, agrupados aleatoriamente en tres tratamientos en grupos de 6. Los niveles de inclusión de Xylopia aethiopica en las dietas fueron: 0 % (T1, control), 0.5 % (T2) y 1.0 % (T3). Los conejos fueron alimentados durante 56 dias antes de empezar la recolección de semen, que se prolongó durante cuatro semanas, a base de dos obtenciones semanales, seguidas de un estudio histopatológico de los testículod. Los resultados de este estudio mostraron que que los animales que consumieron el tratamiento T2, tuvieron mayor (p0,05) en volumen seminal, libido y ganancia media de peso entre tratamientos. Las microfotografías, mostraron cambios degenerativos en el testículo con la mayor proporción de Xylopia aethiopica (1%) en la dieta. Estos hallazgos sugieren que una inclusión dietética, excesiva e incontrolada de Xylopia aethiopica puede causar daños en los testículos y, posiblemente, comprometer la fertilidad del macho. Por otro lado, Xylopia aethiopica, puede ser útil para mejorar los procesos de la espermatogénesis, cuando su nivel de consumo es controlado.

Testicular morphometry, gonadal and extragonadal sperm reserves of rabbit bucks treated with Human Menopausal Gonadotrophin (Menogon ® ) were studied. Twenty-four crossbred rabbit bucks weighing 1.3-1.6 kg at 15-17 wk were randomised into 4 treatment doses of 0 (control), 7.5, 15.0, and 22.5 I.U. in a completely randomised design with 6 bucks per group. A vial of Menogon ® was reconstituted in 1 mL of physiological saline solution and administered intramuscularly at 72 h intervals for 56 d prior to commencement of sample collection. Parameters evaluated were ejaculate concentration, testicular morphometry, gonadal and extragonadal sperm concentrations. Results for ejaculate concentration (86, 110, 186, and 135×10 6 /mm 3 ) revealed a significantly (P<0.05) higher difference in the 15.0 I.U. group. Gonadal and extragonadal sperm reserve indices were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by the treatment. Testicular morphometry results showed that paired testis volume (cm 3 ), testis circumference (cm), ductus deferens length (cm) and epididymal length (cm) were significantly (P<0.05) different, with a progressive increase that corresponds to increased Menogon ® administration. High and positive correlations (P<0.01) were observed between testis weight and gonadal sperm reserves (r=0.99) and body weight and gonadal sperm reserves (r=0.99). Similarly, correlations between epididymal weight and epididymal sperm reserves (r=0.85), testis weight and ejaculate concentration (r=0.97), body weight and ejaculate concentration (r=0.96), body weight and testis weight (r=0.97), testis volume and ejaculate concentration (r=0.97), testis volume and gonadal sperm reserve (r=0.91), testis volume and testis weight (r=0.96), and testis volume and body weight (r=0.90) were positive and significant (P<0.05). Taking all the reported results into consideration, controlling the amount of Menogon ® administration at 15.0 I.U. for rabbit bucks could be a promising approach to regulating testosterone synthesis and secretion, thereby affording a potential method of enhancing fertility.

Parmi les métaux lourds, le cadmium (Cd) est l’un des polluants les plus communs avec un impact néfaste sur la reproduction et la physiologie dans le système biologique. Cette étude a été conçue pour évaluer les effets néfastes du Cd sur les paramètres séminal et histopathologique des testicules; et d’explorer les potentiels thérapeutiques de l’extrait méthanolique de Gmelina arborea (MEGA) en évitant de tels dommages reproductifs. Pour ce faire, un total de 45 lapins âgés de 24 à 28 semaines et pesant entre 1,41 et 1,43 kg ont été utilisés. Les mâles de lapin ont été assignés à 5 groupes de traitement (contrôle, Cd-seul, Cd + 300 mg MEGA, Cd + 600 mg MEGA et Cd + 900 mg MEGA) dans un design complètement randomisé. Les lapins ont reçu 3 mg de CdCl2 / kg de nourriture pendant 7 jours, suivis de MEGA pendant 56 jours après toutes les 72 heures avant le début du prélèvement de sperme. Le résultat de l’évaluation du sperme indique que le volume de sperme, la motilité du sperme, la concentration du sperme, l’éjaculation totale et la viabilité étaient significativement (P