Oral administration of Tridax procumbens aqueous leaf extract attenuates reproductive function impairments in L-NAME induced hypertensive male rats

In this study, we investigated effect of Tridax procumbens aqueous leaf extract (TPALE) on reproductive function in N nitro-l-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME) induced hypertensive rats. Twenty healthy, adult male rats (150–190g) were divided into four groups of five. Group 1 (control) received normal saline (0.6ml/kg of 0.9% NaCl) orally; groups 2, 3 and 4 received L-NAME (40mg/kg) orally to induce hypertension for a period of three weeks. Treatments were continued for another 3weeks with groups 3 and 4 being further treated orally with 100 and 200mg/kg of TPALE respectively. Blood pressure, body and reproductive organs weight, histology of reproductive organs, fertility success, plasma testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) and seminal analysis were determined. TPALE decreased systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure in L-NAME+100/200mg/kg TPALE treated groups when compared to L-NAME (40mg/kg) group. Relative prostate and seminal vesicle weight were significantly reduced in L-NAME group. Motility, viability and count were reduced in L-NAME group when compared to control and TPALE treated group. Fertility success was 100% in all groups except for L-NAME group (0%) with no significant differences in average litter size and weight. Testosterone level increased significantly in TPALE treated group. There was mild interstitial congestion of the epididymis in L-NAME treated groups; tubular diameter also appeared reduced with heightened epithelium for TPALE treated groups. No visible lesions were seen in the testis of all treated groups. TPALE exhibits pharmacotherapeutic and protective role on hypertension and reproductive functions in L-NAME induced hypertensive male rats.