PROTECTIVE ROLE OF TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS ON ALUMINIUM CHLORIDE – INDUCED REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY IN THE MALE LABORATORY MOUSE

The present study deals with the efficacy of Tribulus terrestris (TT) on aluminium chloride (AlCl₃) – induced alterations in the reproductive organs and fertility of the male laboratory mouse. Thirty adult male mice were divided into six groups of five each. Group I served as control while that of II, III and IV received various doses of AlCl₃ (25, 50, 100 mg/kgBW/day, respectively), for 30 days. The mice of groups V and VI were administered with TT (100mg/kgBW/day) only and AlCl₃ (100mg/kgBW/day) along with TT (100mg/kgBW/day) respectively, for the same duration. Only high dose of AlCl₃ (100mg/kgBW/day) – treated mice showed significant reductions in the body weight, sex organs relative weight, sperm count, motility, viability, epididymal sialic acid, seminal vesicular fructose, serum testosterone, antioxidant enzymes (SOD, Catalase, GPx), mating ability and fertility. However percentage of abnormal spermatozoa in the epididymis and level of testicular cholesterol and MDA were   significantly increased. Dose-dependent regressive histological changes in the seminiferous tubules and the Leydig cells were also noticed. Supplementation with TT in high dose of AlCl₃ – treated mice resulted in noticeable restorations in all the studied parameters as compared with only AlCl₃ – treated mice. The results thus indicated the protective role of TT against AlCl₃– induced adverse effects on the male reproductive organs and the fertility.