The impact of Annona muricata and metformin on semen quality and hormonal profile in Arsenic trioxide-induced testicular dysfunction in male Wistar rat

Male Infertility has been an issue of significant concern affecting an appraised 20-30% of couples worldwide. The study aims to access the hormonal and semen profile following metformin and ethanolic leave extract of Annona muricata (ELAM) on arsenic-induced toxicity in Male Wistar rats. Thirty-male Wistar rats were used in the study, weighing 150-170 grams, and were divided into six groups of five rats each. Group A received 50 mg/kg of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) only. Group B received feed and water ad libitum. Groups C and D received 50mg/kg of As2O3 and were immediately treated with 30 mg/kg of metformin and 500 mg/kg of ELAM. Group E received 500mg/kg of ELAM and treated immediately with As2O3, and group F received 30 mg/kg of metformin and treated immediately with As2O3. Data obtained were subjected to ANOVA followed by post Hoc LSD using SPSS version 25. Semen quality, Testosterone, FSH, LH levels, and gonadal-somatic index were analysed. Values were presented as Mean±SEM and considered significant at p<0.05. The gonadal-somatic index revealed a significant decrease in group D, while groups B, C, E, and F had no significant decrease compared to A. As2O3 treated rats showed impaired sperm motility, morphology, and total sperm count significantly in groups A to B, while groups C, D, E, and F improved sperm motility, morphology, and total sperm count. Testosterone, LH, and FSH showed a significant decline in group A compared to B, except for LH. Groups C, D, E, and F showed a significant increase in testosterone and LH, except group C in FSH. The study concluded that MET and ELAM improved semen quality and hormonal profile, which could be used in the reversing and prevention of male infecundity linked to arsenic trioxide toxicity caused by oxidative stress.