EXOGENOUS OXYTOCIN IMPAIRS CAUDAL EPIDIDYMAL SPERM CHARACTERISTICS IN SPRAGUE-DAWLEY RATS

• Main Authors: Yama OE (Author), Odetola AA (Author), Okoko IE (Author), Kusemiju TO (Author), Lukpata PE (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Ntec Specialist, 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 2006-4772; 2714-2426
• Keywords: oxytocin; epididymal sperm characteristics; sprague-dawley rats; intramuscular; neuropeptide hormone; Medicine (General); R5-920; Dentistry; RK1-715
• Source: Kanem Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol 12, Iss 2, Pp 51-56 (2018)

Background: Oxytocin is a neuropeptide hormone that is released from posterior pituitary gland and has been shown to increase cervical contractions, modulates sperm production, transport and ejaculation. Objectives: This study aimed at determining the effect of exogenous oxytocin on caudal epididymal sperm characteristics in Sprague-Dawley rats. Method: Forty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 180-300 g were randomly distributed into 4 groups A, B, C and D of 10 rats each. Group A served as the control group while groups B to D were the treated groups. Oxytocin was administered intramuscularly to groups B, C and D at the doses of 1 IU/kg/body weight(b.w.), 2 IU/kg/b.w. and 3 IU/kg/b.w. two days of three days interval per week respectively while 0.5ml of 0.9% physiologic saline was administered to group A. The treatment was carried out for a period of 8 weeks. Results: The result showed a significant increase in the mean caudal epididymal sperm volume among the groups that received 2 IU/kg/b.w. and 3 IU/kg/b.w. C and D at 4weeks and 8weeks when compared with control (p less than 0.05). The caudal epididymal sperm concentration of the treated groups showed a significant decrease compared to the control at 4 and 8 weeks (p less than 0.001). Groups that were administered with 2 IU/kg/b.w. and 3 IU/kg/b.w. oxytocin showed a significant decrease in sperm concentration compared to control and the lowest dose oxytocin treated group (p less than 0.001) at 8weeks. Conclusion: Chronic intramuscular administration of oxytocin has significant deleterious effect on caudal epididymal sperm concentration