DISTORTIONS IN REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTIONS OF AQUEOUS BITTER KOLA (GARCINIA KOLA) SEED EXTRACT ADMINISTRATION ON WISTAR RATS
Adjene Josiah Obaghwarhievwo, Avbunudiogba John Afokoghene and *Odigie Mike Osagie
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the changes in female reproductive hormones (hormonal profile) and relative ovarian weights due to administration of aqueous extract of bitter kola (Garcinia kola) on female Wistar rats. Thirty (30) adult wistar rats of between 150 g – 200 g were procured, acclimatized and randomly selected into five (5) groups of six (6) rats each. Group A (Control) received standard rat diet and water ad libitum, while group B rats were fed with 100 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Garcinia kola. Groups C, D and E received 200 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extracts of Garcinia kola respectively. After twenty-one (21) days of administration of test substance, the rats were sacrificed via cervical dislocation and blood samples collected and assayed for serum hormonal levels [Follicle Stimulating Hormone - FSH, Luteinizing Hormone - LH, Oestrogen and Progesterone]. Study also determined the comparative changes in body / ovarian weights of animals before and after administration of test substance, following which the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 20) was used to conduct statistical test (student t-test) on obtained data; at p-values ≤ 0.05 as significant level, study observed a significant increase in body with increasing dose of G. kola administration. G. kola also caused an increase in serum hormonal levels of female wistar rats, promoting oogenesis and maturation of the ovarian follicle. Further studies aimed at corroborating these results should be carried out.
Keywords: Gacinia kola, FSH, LH, Estrogen, Progesterone.
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