EFFECTS OF FOLIC ACID AND ZINC ON GONADAL SPERM RESERVE, GONADOSOMATIC INDICES AND SOME CYTOKINES IN EXPERIMENTALLY-INDUCED TESTICULAR TORSION IN WISTAR RATS
EFFECTS OF FOLIC ACID AND ZINC ON GONADAL SPERM RESERVE, GONADOSOMATIC INDICES AND SOME CYTOKINES IN EXPERIMENTALLY-INDUCED TESTICULAR TORSION IN WISTAR RATS
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Date
2014-08
Authors
BEBEKAH, Richard Jewo
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Abstract
Testicular torsion refers to the twisting of the spermatic cord structures and subsequent loss of
the blood supply to the ipsilateral testicle. This is a urological emergency; early diagnosis and
treatment are vital to saving the testicle and preserving future fertility. The aim of the study
was to investigate the effects of folic acid and zinc on some cytokines, Gonadosomatic indices
and gonadal sperm reserve in rats during experimentally induced testicular torsion. Thirty
male Wistar rats were divided into six groups comprising five animals each. In Group 1
(control), rats were given (1 ml/kg) normal saline for 21 days. Group 2 (sham), rats were also
given (1 ml/kg) normal saline for 21 days followed by operation. Group 3 (untreated
torsion/detorsion), (torsion of the right testis was done by rotating the testis 720˚, twice
around the longitudinal axis of the spermatic cord) in a clockwise direction for 2 hours, and
thereafter , the right testis was detorted by rotating it (720˚) twice anti-clockwisely; and
then fixing in the right position for 1 hour. Rats in Group 4 (folic acid), were treated with (2
mg/kg) folic acid for 21 days followed induction of torsion-detorsion of the testis. Group 5
(zinc), rats were treated with (50 mg/kg) zinc for 21 days followed by experimental torsiondetorsion
.Group 6 (Aspirin), rats were treated with (200 mg/kg) aspirin for 21 days and
induced with torsion-detorsion. At the end of 21 days, blood samples were collected through
cardiac puncture and the serum harvested was used for tumour necrosis factor-alpha and
prostaglandin assays. Gonado-somatic indices of the testes, epididymis and seminal vesicles
and semen parameters were evaluated. The sperm count in all the treated groups was lower
than in the control but sperm morphology did not differ between the groups. There was
significant (P<0.05) difference in fast movement and non-motile cells of folic acid and zinc
treated groups. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in gonado-somatic indices of all
treated groups, compared with the control. Treatment of the rats with either folic acid or zinc
did not significantly alter their levels of prostaglandin E2 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha but
there is slight decrease in PGE2 levels and TNF-α levels in folic acid and zinc treated groups,
respectively. In conclusion, testicular torsion results into generation of inflammatory
cytokines and their adverse effects could be reduced by administration of folic acid and zinc.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF
SCIENCE IN HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY, FACULTY OF MEDICINE AHMADU
BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA.
AUGUST, 2014
Keywords
FOLIC,, ZINC,, GONADAL,, RESERVE,, GONADOSOMATIC,, CYTOKINES,, EXPERIMENTALLY,, INDUCED,, TESTICULAR,, TORSION,, WISTAR,, RATS