MALE REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTIONS IN THE SPRAGUE DAWLEY RATS

Excessive salt loading has been associated with high blood pressure and cognitive decline, particularly affecting brain and male reproductive functions. This study examined the impact and effect of anti-hypertensive drugs and Nano-silver using the Sprague Dawley rat model. Sixty-Four rats with varying mean weight of 90.3g– 140.5grams were used for the study. The rats were acclimatized for four weeks and divided into eight groups (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) (n= 8 per group). Group1 Control, Group 2 received High salt diet (8% NaCl), Group 3 Normal diet + Nano silver, Group 4 Nano-silver + High salt diet, Group 5 Amlodipine + High salt diet, Group 6 Lisinopril + High salt diet, Group 7 Vitamin C + High salt diet, Group 8 Losartan + High salt diet. All animals had access to water and drugs were administered via the oral tube. During this period, The Neurobehavioral tests and cognitive tests were performed 4 consecutive times for the duration of 12 weeks. The tests conducted include Y-MAZE test, ELEVATED PLUS MAZE Test and the Open Field test. All the data obtained from the study were expressed as mean ± Standard Error of Mean (SEM). Statistical analysis was performed by T-test, one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to assess differences amongst multiple groups, followed by Tukey's post-hoc test and simple linear regression to find the relationships between variables using GraphPad Prism 10.2.2 statistical analysis software (GraphPad, San Diego, CA). P < 0.05 was considered statistically