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J Vet Sci. 2007 Mar;8(1):1-5 |
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Testicular morphology and cauda epididymal sperm reserves of male rats exposed to Nigerian Qua Iboe Brent crude oil
I. Reginald Obidike1,*, Igwebuike U. Maduabuchi2,4, Shoyinka S.V. Olumuyiwa3 |
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1Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, 2Department of Veterinary Anatomy, and 3Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
4Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy
* ikeobidike@yahoo.com |
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Potential negative effects of exposure to Nigerian Qua
Iboe Brent crude oil on the reproductive system of male
rats was investigated. Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were
used for the experiment. Exposure to Nigerian Qua Iboe
Brent crude oil was achieved via oral administration of
increasing doses (0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 ml/rat) every other day
for 4 weeks. Cauda epididymal sperm reserves and
relative weights of the testes as well as histological features
of the testes of rats that received the crude oil treatment
were compared to those of control rats. The results
described here showed a significant (p < 0.01) dosedependent
reduction in the cauda epididymal sperm
reserves of rats that received crude oil treatment relative
to the control group. The morphology of testes of the
crude oil-exposed rats was characterized by the presence
of interstitial exudates, degeneration, and necrosis of
spermatogenic and interstitial (Leydig) cells. Findings
indicate that exposure of male rats to Nigerian Qua Iboe
Brent crude oil may have adversely affected their
reproductive systems. This may imply possible reproductive
health hazards for animals and humans that may be
exposed to this environmental pollutant, especially in
areas where oil spillage is a common feature.
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