Abstract:
Background: Alcoholic bitters have been acclaimed to boost sexual
function and fertility in animals but there is no reported scientific
evidence that evaluated its effects on the normal functioning of the
testes. This study was therefore conducted to assess the effect of
some alcoholic bitters on testicular function indices of male Wistar
rats.
Methods: A total of 25 male Wistar rats were assigned into five
groups of five animals each and treated with distilled water, ethanol,
Alomo, Striker and Orijin Alcoholic Bitters at 0.2, 0.2, 0.2, 0.16 and 0.3
ml/kg body weight respectively for 28 days. The animals were
thereafter sacrificed and the serum obtained was used for the
determination of sex hormones. Assessment of testosterone,
luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH),
cholesterol, and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations as well as the
activity of β-Hydroxy β-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA
reductase), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were
carried out using standard methods.
Results: There were significant (p < 0.05) increases in protein,
cholesterol, testosterone, FSH and LH, as well as in the activity of
HMG-CoA reductase, SOD and CAT in all the groups of animals
administered the alcoholic bitters, whereas concentration of MDA was
significantly reduced (p<0.05). Concentration of triglycerides was not
significantly different (p>0.05) from those of the control animals.
Conclusion: The alcoholic bitters enhanced the normal functioning of
the testes, the antioxidant enzymes and the release of the
reproductive hormones. This may partly explain its use in boosting
sexual function and fertility in male rats.
