LEAD

Considered a hazardous environmental contaminant, lead acetate exhibits toxic properties known to impair male reproductive function through oxidative stress and disruption of spermatogenesis. Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom) contains antioxidant and bioactive compounds that may protect against heavy-metal–induced testicular injury. The objective was to evaluate whether ethanolic extract of Pleurotus ostreatus ameliorates lead acetate– induced testicular damage in adult male Wistar rats. Thirty (30) adult male Wistar rats were randomized into six groups (A–F, n = 5 per group) and treated for 56 days. Treatments included control, lead acetate (100 mg/kg body weight), 1000mg/kg body weight of extract, 2000mg/kg body weight of extract, 1000mg/kg body weight of extract and 100mg/kg body weight of lead acetate and 2000mg/kg body weight of extract and 100mg/kg body weight of lead acetate. Endpoints were epididymal sperm analysis (count, motility, viability, morphology), testicular weight, and histology (H&E); data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. The administration of lead acetate induced substantial testicular damage, which was marked by reduced sperm counts, decreased survival rates, an upsurge in atypical cellular phenotypes, and diffuse seminiferous tubular atrophy with loss of germinal layers. Administration of Pleurotus ostreatus extract alone showed no histological abnormality and improved sperm indices. When given alongside lead acetate, the extract mitigated the toxic changes in a manner proportional to dose — with the 2000 mg/kg treatment delivering the greatest improvement in sperm parameters and largely normalizing seminiferous architecture. In conclusion the ethanolic extract of Pleurotus ostreatus exerted a dose-dependent protective effect, mitigating influence against lead acetate–mediated testicular damage in Wistar rat models. These findings justify further mechanistic studies and controlled translational research to assess the mushroom extract’s potential as a safe nutraceutical strategy for populations at risk of lead exposure.

The increasing degree of heavy metals contamination requires proper and effective health management on the ecological well-being by probing water, soil and fauna species within the environment .This study was carried out to investigate the distribution of heavy metal concentrations, specifically Lead (Pb) and Copper (Cu) in soil, water and in selected amphibian species across selected sites in Benin City, Edo State. Amphibians species (Sclerophrys regularis, Sclerophrys maculata, Afixalus dorsalis, Ptychadena longirostris, Ptychadena oxyrhynchus, Hypercolius fusciventris, Ptychadena mascareniensis, Ptychadena pumilio, Hoplobatrachus occipitalis, Ptychadena bibroni) were collected from four sampling sites (Iguosa river, Oluku dumpsite, Life science vicinity and Ikpoba river) between June and July 2023 . Heavy metal concentrations were analyzed using the Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (A.A.S) The concentration of Pb in Iguosa and Ikpoba rivers were below the permissible limit of World Health Organization (WHO). At Iguosa river, Pb was 0.011mg/kg and Cu 1.445mg/kg, while at Ikpoba river Pb 0.006mg/kg and Cu 0.284mg/kg, both below the WHO permissible limit. The concentrations of Pb and Cu in soils from the sites were all below the European Union. The accumulation pattern was Ikpoba River> Iguosa River > Oluku Dumpsite > Life Science Vicinity (University of Benin) for Pb and Cu in amphibian toe snip samples. Hence, these heavy metal concentrations have no immediate threat on the health of water, soil quality and public health.

Azanza garckeana , a plant native to Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa, as well as parts of West Africa, is traditionally renowned for its medicinal properties, particularly its role in enhancing male reproductive health. This study investigated the protective effects of aqueous leaf extract of Azanza garckeana (AGE) against lead acetate-induced testicular toxicity in Wistar rats. This specific objectives evaluated the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant capacity of Azanza garckeana , as well as its effects on various physiological and biochemical parameters in Wistar rats. The objectives also included assessing changes in body and organ weights, oxidative stress markers, and male reproductive hormones (FSH, LH, testosterone) across experimental groups. Additionally, sperm analysis was conducted, and the impact of A. garckeana aqueous extract on the histology of testes in lead acetateinduced rats was examined. Thirty-six adult Wistar rats were divided into six groups. Group A served as the control, receiving only feed and water. Group B was exposed to 100 mg/kg body weight (BW) of lead acetate. Group C received 400 mg/kg BW of AGE only, while Group D was administered 800 mg/kg BW of AGE. Group E received a combination of 400 mg/kg BW of AGE and 100 mg/kg BW of lead acetate, and Group F received 800 mg/kg BW of AGE alongside 100 mg/kg BW of lead acetate. The maceration method was employed to extract the plant’s bioactive components, as it is a simple and effective technique that ensures optimal recovery of phytochemicals while preserving their integrity for analysis