Abstract

Introduction: Aluminium (Al), the third most abundant metallic element in the Earth’s crust, is widely distributed in the environment and present in water, soil, plants, and animal tissues. Excessive exposure is linked to reproductive toxicity. Aim: This study evaluated the protective effects of phenolic extracts of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Aidan fruit) on aluminium-induced testicular toxicity in adult male Wistar rats. Methodology: Thirty-five rats were randomly assigned into five groups (n = 7): Group 1 received distilled water (control), Group 2 was administered AlCl3 (100 mg/kg), Group 3 received AlCl3 + low-dose extract (250 mg/kg), Group 4 received AlCl3 + high-dose extract (500 mg/kg), and Group 5 received AlCl3 + donepezil (10 mg/kg). Toxicity were induceced for 28 days and treatments lasted 14 days, after which animals were sacrificed following IACUC guidelines. The right testes were homogenized for biochemical and hormonal assays, while the left testes were fixed in formalin for histological studies. Results: AlCl3 exposure did not significantly alter body weight but markedly reduced hormonal levels (AMH, LH, FSH, testosterone) and impaired sperm quality and testicular architecture (p < 0.05). It also elevated oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (MDA) and Nitric Oxide (NO). Treatment with T. tetraptera, especially at 500 mg/kg, significantly restored hormonal profiles, improved sperm count and motility, enhanced antioxidant enzymes (SOD, AChE), and reversed histological damage to the seminiferous tubules (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that phenolic extracts of T. tetraptera confer dose-dependent protection against aluminium-induced reproductive toxicity through antioxidant mechanisms, hormonal regulation, and testicular tissue restoration.

Keywords: Tetrapleura tetraptera, Aluminum chloride, Wistar rats, Antioxidants, Spermatogenesis, Reproductive toxicity