The effect of Red Seaweed (Chondrus crispus) on the fertility of male albino rats

Abstract

At different parts of the world, Red Seaweeds are one component of human diets especially at Southeast Asia. Red Seaweeds structurally contain bioactive molecules so; we studied the effect of Chondrus crispus on increasing the male albino rat fertility. Twelve male albino rats are used in this study as two group pre-treated group and post- treated one each with 6 animals. The pretreated group was dissected before the post-treated group injection. Each post treated rat injected intramuscular with 1 mg of Chondrus crispus with dose 0.1 ml/ twice per week for 48 day (Mukhtar et al., 2013). The results showed that increasing on the total testosterone levels insignificantly, sperm motility significantly, and decreasing in both FSH and DPPH levels insignificantly and significantly for the MDA levels in the post-treated group. The morphological appearance and histological examination for the sperm, testis and liver were normal as the pretreated group. The molecular studies showed absence of any DNA fragmentation for the testis of both group. The Red Seaweed has an enhanced effect in the testicular function of the animal which might increase their fertility and sexual activities.

Keywords: Albino rat; Chondrus crispus; Fertility; Red Seaweed; Testis.

Fig. 1

Each value indicates the mean ± S.E.M. Statistical analysis was carried out by using unpaired t-test at level of significance P < 0.05. Pre-treated group received buffer intramuscularly twice per week for 48 day, Post-treated group injected intra muscular with 1 mg of Chondrus crispus with dose 0.1 ml/ twice per week for 48 day.

Fig. 2

Each value indicates the mean ± S.E.M. Statistical analysis was carried out by using unpaired t-test at level of significance P < 0.05. Pre-treated group received buffer intramuscularly twice per week for 48 day, Post-treated group injected intra muscular with 1 mg of Chondrus crispus with dose 0.1 ml/ twice per week for 48 day.

Fig. 3

Histological section of testis: (A) normal pre-treated rats. (B &C) post-treated group. Both groups showed normal spermatogenesis where, normal spermatogonia (black thin arrow), normal spermatocytes (white block arrow), and normal spermatides (arrow head) (H&E X40).

Fig. 4

Histological section of liver: (A &B) pre-treated group, (C & D) post-treated rats, both showing normal archicture, normal central vien (double head arrow) and normal hepatocytes.

Figs. 5 and 6

Each value indicates the mean ± S.E.M. Statistical analysis was carried out by using unpaired t-test at level of significance P < 0.05. Fig. 5, FSH hormone level, Fig. 6, total testosterone hormone. In both figure, Pre-treated group received buffer intra-muscularly twice per week for 48 day, Post-treated group injected intra-muscular with 1 mg of Chondrus crispus with dose 0.1 ml/ twice per week for 48 day.

Figs. 7 and 8

Each value indicates the mean ± S.E.M. Statistical analysis was carried out by using unpaired t-test at level of significance P < 0.05. Fig. 7 for MDA level, Fig. 8 for DPPH level. In both figure, Pre-treated group received buffer intramuscularly twice per week for 48 day, Post-treated group injected intra muscular with 1 mg of Chondruscrispus with dose 0.1 ml/ twice per week for 48 day.

Fig. 9

Agarose Gel Electrophoresis of Genomic DNA from testis of pre-treated (1) and post-treated groups (2) showing:normal DNA bands for both group.