THE ROLE OF HYPOTHALAMIC PTUITARY GONADAL AXIS IN AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF CANNABIS SATIVA INDUCED MALE REPRODUCTIVE DYSFUNCTION OF ALBINO WISTAR RATS

Samuel Kelechi Mobisson*, Agona Odeh Obembe, Ukoh Imoh Emmanuel and Duru Godfrey Onyekachi

ABSTRACT

The recent study investigates the role of hypothalamic-pituitary gonadal axis in Cannabis sativa induced male reproductive dysfunction in 21 male albino Wistar rats (body weight 150 to 200g). The rats were assigned into three groups of control, low dose and high dose. They were fed with aqueous extract of Cannabis sativa via orogastric feeding at dose of 0.4mg/100g and 0.8mg/100g body weight respectively for 28 days. The result was analysed using One way ANOVA, followed by post hoc multiple comparisons and level of significance set at p<0.05. Gonadotropin releasing hormone in low dose was significantly lower (p<0.001) than control. Follicle stimulating hormone was significantly (p<0.001) higher in low dose fed group than control group. Luteinizing hormone was significantly (p<0.001) reduced in both low dose and high dose groups compared to control, although high dose group had a significant increase (p<0.01) than low dose. Testosterone was significantly (p<0.001) elevated in low dose than control. Sperm count, motility, viability and rapid progressive forward were significantly (p<0.05) reduced and increased percentage of spermatozoa with abnormal morphology in Cannabis sativa fed groups. The histological investigation of hypothalamus and pituitary gland show no histopathological changes. However, testicular and epididymal tissues of rats fed with low dose Cannabis sativa show no visible deterioration, whereas, there were noticeable derangements on rats fed with high dose Cannabis sativa. These alterations suggest that aqueous extract of Cannabis sativa has more effect on the gonads than at higher centers and its ingestion even as tea could impair male reproductive function.

Keywords: Cannabis sativa, Hypothalamic-Ptuitary- Gonadal axis, Male Reproductive Dysfunction.