F.O. AGOREYO

Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) is an herbaceous plant from the Fragaria genus. It is a well-known plant with a widely enjoyed fruit. Strawberry, like other common fruits, contains antioxidants such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C), folic acid, and essential oils It is also high in minerals like iodine, magnesium, copper, iron, and phosphorus, as well as vitamins like thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin K, vitamin A, and vitamin E. Hormones have critical role in fertility management and regulation. Endocrine glands produce hormones and release them to target organs in response to stimulation via negative or positive feedback mechanisms. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of Fragaria ananassa (strawberry fruit) extract on male reproductive function by analyzing the male hormones in adult male wistar rat. A total of twenty (20) adult male wistar rats were used for this study. The rats were divided into four (4) experimental groups (A-D) with five (n=5) rats in each group. The rats were acclimatized for two weeks before commencement of administration. Group A was the control group. Group B, C and D were administered 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg body weight of fragaria ananassa extract orally via gavage respectively. The rats were anesthetized using chloroform vapor and were terminally bled by cardiac puncture. The blood samples were collected using a heparinized tube for hormonal assay. Testosterone was determined by competitive enzyme immunoassay (TYPE 7) and Luteinizing hormone was determined by Immunoenzymometric assay (TYPE 3). The result were statistically analyzed using Graph-Pad prism version 8.0. Comparison within groups were done using one-way ANOVA. The result were presented as mean ±SEM and p-value less than 0.05(P < 0.05) was considered statistically significant. The result showed non-significant difference in the hormones (Testosterone and Luteinizing hormone) in group B, C and D when compared to the control group (Group A). In conclusion aqueous extract of Fragaria ananassa (strawberry fruit) does not have significant effect on the reproductive hormones (Testosterone and Luteinizing hormone) in adult male wistar rats.

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is an industrial chemical primarily used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element, vital for the health of humans and other living organisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Bisphenol-A (BPA) on some oxidative stress markers in adult male rats and evaluate the potential effect of Selenium (Se) in BPA-induced oxidative damage. A total of twenty (20) male Wistar rats weighing between 180g and 200g were purchased and kept in standard cages for two weeks to enable them acclimatize to their new environment. After acclimatization period, the twenty-adult male Wistar rats were divided into four (4) different groups A, B, C, D: control, BPA-only, Se-only, and BPA+Se. Group A served as control, Groups B D received 20mg/kg BPA, 2mg/kg Se, and both, respectively, for 54 days. Blood was collected and analyzed for oxidative stress parameters such as malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide Distumates (SOD) and catalase (CAT). All statistical analyses were carried out using Graph Pad prism statistical software version 10.0. The data from all the groups were presented as Mean ± S.E.M (Standard Error of Mean), (n=5) in each group and analyze for statistical significance using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Values were considered significant at P<0.05. The result shows that exposure to BPA resulted in significant (p<0.05) reduction in body weight. There was significant (p<0.05) increase in MDA levels in all groups compared with the control. On the other hand, SOD and CAT activities were significantly (p<0.05) reduced in all groups compared with the control, thereby indicating decreased antioxidant enzyme activities. In conclusion, these finding shows that Selenium (Se) supplementation did not mitigate the adverse effects of BPA and instead worsened oxidative stress, implying that Selenium (Se) may not provide protection against the harmful effect of Bisphenol-A (BPA) even at this dose but rather potentiated the effect of Bisphenol-A (BPA).