Evidence of Regeneration of Testicular and Epididymal Tissue Structure and Function Following Withdrawal from Sub-chronic Khat Exposure: Studies in the Rabbit Animal Model

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Date
2020Author
Nyongesa, Albert W.
Maluki, Esther M.
Simbauni, Jemimah A.
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Khat, Catha edulis, use is rampant in Eastern Africa and Middle East countries with associated
reports of reproductive function impairment in the body of the user. Reports on recovery post longterm khat exposure are obscure. The present study investigated evidence of restoration of testicular
and epididymal structure and function during withdrawal from cytotoxic damage caused by subchronic exposure of khat extract. Twenty-eight male rabbits were divided into 7 groups of 4 rabbits
each. Group I (control) was administered normal saline while groups II, III and IV were administered
1.0 g/kg, 10 g/kg and 20 g/kg body weight of khat extract, respectively, via oral gavage on alternate
days of the week for 12 weeks. Blood samples from animals were collected for hormonal assays
followed by euthanasia using 26.4 mg/kg body weight of Sagatal sodium intramuscularly for
testicular and epididymal histology. Group V, VI and VII were administered 1.0 g/kg, 10 g/kg and 20
g/kg body weight of khat extract, respectively, orally on alternate days of the week for 12 weeks
followed by 1-month withdrawal period, blood samples collected for hormone assays and animals
sacrificed for testicular and epididymal histology. High khat dose, 20 g/kg body weight, at subchronic exposure caused degeneration in spermatogenic cells with accompanying decrease in
plasma FSH and testosterone. Histological output of Sertoli cells, Leydig cells and epididymal
epithelium appeared unaffected in treatment groups. Post withdrawal data showed apparent
regeneration of seminiferous epithelium and restoration of plasma FSH and testosterone
comparable to control. It appears khat extract preferentially affected germ cell spermatogonia and
subsequent daughter cells while stem cell spermatogonia were unaffected and contributed to
regeneration of germinal epithelium and endocrine function.