Effect of Cyperus esculentus Meal on Glutathione and Sperm Parameters in Androgen-Induced Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) in Adult Male Wistar Rats

Introduction: Large populations and diversification of food plant species have continued to play an important role in sustaining healthy lifestyles and enhancing lifespan for everybody. This becomes imperative with growing environmental population and its resultant health hazards which may affect the reproductive system. Cyperus esculentus may help to cure erectile dysfunction. Infertility is on the increase especially in the developing countries. However, male infertility is commonly due to deficiencies in the semen, and semen quality is used as a surrogate measure of male fecundity.

Aim: The aim of this project was to study the Effect of Cyperus esculentus (Tiger Nut) Meal on Glutathione, Some sperm Parameters such as Semen pH, Sperm count, Sperm without a tail, sperm without head etc. and Morphological changes in Androgen-Induced Benign Prostate Hyperplasia in Adult Male Wistar Rats

Methods: A total of sixty (60) male rats weighing between 160 – 200 g were used in this study. They were divided into six groups of ten rats per group. Benign prostate hyperplasia was induced in three groups of the rats (as stated in methodology) with 30 mg/kg sub-cutaneous injections of hormones containing dihydrotestosterone and estradiol valerate dissolved in olive oil in the ratio of 10:1 (three times in a week, one day interval). Administration of tiger nut meal commenced immediately and lasted for two months. At the end of administration, blood sample was collected from the rat via cardiac puncture for the determination of Glutathione. Semen samples were collected for analysis of semen abnormality and Cytoplasmic droplets.

Results: Following the induction of BPH, the administration of tiger nut meal showed some positive effects on the rats. On Glutathione, the administration of the tiger nut meal increased the level of the antioxidant, glutathione, in the induced rats(P<0.05). Also, on the effect of the tiger nut meal on the induced abnormalities of the sperm cells (such as sperm cells without a head and the ones without a tail) there was a significantly decreased the level of these abnormalities of the semen recorded following the induction of BPH (P>0.05) while at the same time, enhancing the Sperm concentration (sperm count) (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Tiger nut meal decreased the levels of sperm cells without a head, sperm cells without a tail and that of cytoplasmic complete. It also showed a significant increase in the levels of sperm count, Glutathione and semen pH.