The protective effect of Costus afer Ker Gawl aqueous leaf extract on lead-induced reproductive changes in male albino Wistar rats.

Lead is a multiple organ toxicant and an oxidative-stress inducer. The effect of Costus afer on metal- induced male reprotoxicity has not been previously carried out, hence this study. The present study investigates the protective effect of Costus afer aqueous leave extract on lead- induced reproductive damages in male albino Wistar rats.Adult male albino Wistar rats were weighed and separated into five groups of five rats each. Groups 1 & 2 served as normal and toxic controls receiving deionized and leaded (CHCOO)Pb.3HO and water respectively. Groups 3, 4 and 5 were given 750, 1500 and 2250mg/kg of Costus afer orally, respectively while receiving Pb water ad libitum for 28 days.The reproductive and antioxidant parameters obtained from the result served as scientific evidence in the study. The result showed non-significant changes in the absolute and relative weights of epididymis and testes in the Pb Group versus the control. Significant increases were recorded in the sperm analysis, blood lead (7.9±1.02; 1.1±0.01) level (BLL), luteinizing hormone (LH) (8.5±1.4:5.5±0.4), and a decrease in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) (4.5±2.6:6.5±1.65), with non-significant changes in testosterone (TET) (1.3±0.00:1.6±0.2) in the Pb group compared to the control.The treatment with Costus afer exhibited dose-dependent significant changes in testicular oxidative stress, hormonal, sperm analysis and histopathological changes induced by lead. Aqueous leaves extract of Costus afer may be protective against lead induced testicular damage.