Hormonal Profile Evaluation in Swiss Male Mice Administered Lambda Cyhalothin and Extracts of Some Local Spices

Aim: This study was aimed at evaluating the hormonal profile of Swiss male mice administered lambda cyhalothin and extracts of some local spices.

Experimental Design: A completely randomized experimental design using standard methods for analysis.

Location and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in the Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. GPS 4o47'50''N 6o58'49''E The study lasted for 35 days.

Methodology: Forty-two male mice were randomly selected into six (6) groups A-F (n=7/group). Group B were gavage Cyhalothin LCT) alone. Group C, D, and E were gavaged 10 mg/kg/bw of LCT and 20 mg/kg/bw/day of Tetrepleura tetraptera, Piper guineense, and Xylopia aethiopica respectively, while group F received 10 mg/kg/bw of LCT together with the combination of the three spices. All animals were allowed access to cool clean water and standard rat pellet ad libitum. Twenty-four hours to the termination of the experiment, feed was withdrawn from the animals. Blood samples for hormonal profile evaluation were collected through ocular puncture between the hours of 7:00 and 9:00am into plain sample tubes according to the approved protocol of blood collection techniques. Analysis for the quantitative determination of all androgens was carried out using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while statistical analysis was carried out using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and expressed as their respective units. Where significant differences were found, Pair-wise comparisons conducted with Tukey test using SPSS 20 software.

Results: Result showed a significant (P=0.05) decrease in the concentration of all androgens in group B animals treated with LCT alone. The level of these hormones were also reduced although not as low as the level in group B, with administration of the combination of all three spices in group F. This implies that the consumption of these spices might have had an antagonistic effect on the level of hormone produced when combined. Exposure to lambda cyhalothrin, affects reproductive hormones in males leading to infertility and other reproductive dysfunctions. Using spices such as tetrapleura tetraptera and Piper guineense singly as remedy can ameliorate the toxic effect of insecticide related hormonal changes under the guidance of a doctor or any healthcare professional. However, high and frequent intake of Xylopia aethiopica or the concomitant consumption of these three spices is not advised for males.