Responses to the Bioactive Component of Crassocephalum crepidioides on Histomorphology, Spermatogenesis and Steroidogenesis in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Male Rats | Insight Medical Publishing

Male reproductive function is clearly impaired in diabetes. This study investigates the responses to the bioactive component of Crassocephalum crepidioides (C. crepidioides) on histomorphology, spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis in Streptozotocin induced Diabetic Male Rats. Eighteen (18) male diabetic and twelve non diabetic male rats were divided into five groups of six (n=6) rats each. Group A served as non diabetic (ND) control were given 2 mL/kg distilled water each twice daily, group B: Diabetic control (DC); diabetic rats given 2 mL/kg distilled water each daily as placebo, group C: 500 mgkg-1 body weight of C. crepidioides was administered orally twice daily in Non-Diabetic groups, group D:500 mgkg-1 body weight of C. crepidioides was administered orally twice daily in Diabetic groups; group E: Diabetic rats treated subcutaneously with 5 units/kg.bwt of insulin. The duration of the study was 28 days. Parameters tested include: fasting blood and serum glucose, sperm parameters, Testosterone (TT), Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH) and testicular histology. C. crepidioides significantly decreased blood and serum glucose levels and significantly improved sperm quality and TT, FSH and LH in diabetic rats when compared with the Non-diabetic control. Degeneration and inflammatory responses in the testicular cells of the diabetic rats were significant improved after the administration of the plant extracts. The present study suggested that C. crepidioides extract improved the quality, viability, motility of semen analysis and reproductive hormone thereby preserving the testicular functions and male genital organs in diabetic rats.