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     Current Research Journal of Biological Sciences

    Abstract
2012(Vol.4, Issue:5)
Article Information:

Litter Size, Sex Ratio and Some Liver Biomarkers in Sprague-Dawley Rats Recovering From Exposure to Ethanol Extract of Lepidagathis alopecuroides

Eme Efioanwan Orlu and Oguguo K. Ogbalu
Corresponding Author:  Eme Efioanwan Orlu 
Submitted: July 13, 2012
Accepted: August 15, 2012
Published: September 20, 2012
Abstract:
This study was aimed at assessing reproductive recovery of Sprague-Dawley rat after cessation of treatment with ethanol extract of Lepidagathis alopecuroides (Vahl). Thirty sexually mature male Sprague-Dawley rats were previously divided into six groups (A-F). Groups B-F administered ethanol extract of Lepidagathis alopecuroides orally at a daily dose of 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mg/kg body weight, respectively, for 35 days were tested for fertility following 35 days recovery period. Each male was kept with two mature females for mating purposes and observed. Upon delivery the sex, litter sizes and weight of pups were taken. Results showed significant (p<0.01) increase in litter size in the 35 days recovery groups. The mean birth weight and the weaning weights of the pups were comparable (p>0.05) to the control group. There was small but non-significant (p>0.05) increase in Sex ratio in the recovery group and no morphological abnormalities were observed in the pups. Liver function Transaminases (Alanine Transaminase ALT, Aspartate Transaminase AST) elevated during the treatment period reduced to control levels. Phosphatases (Alkaline Phosphatase ALP, Acid Phosphatase) assessed after the recovery period were also reduced to control values 35days after cessation of treatment. Similar reversion to control values was observed in serum total protein, albumin, creatinine, urea and total bilirubin. This investigation reveals that the toxic and reproductive inhibitory effect of Lepidagathis alopecuroides is reversible in mammals after cessation of the treatment. Chronic use of the extract is not recommended. However, caution in the use of the plant as an herbal medicine is advocated.

Key words:  Birth weight , litter size, plant extract, rat, sex ratio, weaning weight,
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Cite this Reference:
Eme Efioanwan Orlu and Oguguo K. Ogbalu, . Litter Size, Sex Ratio and Some Liver Biomarkers in Sprague-Dawley Rats Recovering From Exposure to Ethanol Extract of Lepidagathis alopecuroides. Current Research Journal of Biological Sciences, (5): 643-648.
ISSN (Online):  2041-0778
ISSN (Print):   2041-076X
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