HISTOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT OF CHAYA (CNIDOSCOLUS ACONITDFOLIUS) ON THE TESTES AND EPIDIDYMIS OF ADULT WISTAR RATS

The histological effects of aqueous leaf extract of Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifollus) on the testes and epididymis of adult wistar rats were studied. The rats were acclamaiized far two weeks, weighed and assigned to four groups (A - D) of six rats in each group. The leaf extract was administered by gavage to each primal in treatment groups B, C and D at a dose of l.5/kgbwt for two, four and eight weeks respectively. Group A served as control and had 1ml of sterile water by gavage daily. At the end of each study period, animals were sacrificed and the testes and. epididymis were dissected out for histological studies. The tissues were weighed and then fixed in Boin s fluid, processed and stained with haemaloxylin and eosin. Results showed significant decrease (P 0,05) in mean testicular and left epididymal weights for groups G and D animals with mild to severe disruption in the architecture of the testes and epididymis in all the treatment groups. There was also progressive disruption in the spermatogenlc cell series with early release of immature sperm cells Into the seminiferous tubules and epididymis.