Testicular histomorphology following datura stramonium administration in adult male wistar rats

Datura contains a mixture of anticholinergic agents (alkaloids such as atropine, scopolamine and hyoscyamine) that are responsible for its pharmacological actions. The objective was to evaluate the effect of Datura stramonium in the testes of wistar rats.

Twenty (20) adult male rats weight ranging from 106 g-180 g were distributed into five groups (A-E) of four (4) animals each. Animals were administered with Datura extract once daily for 21 days as Group A- 50 mg/kg, Group B -100 mg/kg, Group C -200 mg/kg ,Group D -400 mg/kg. While, Group E were given distilled water daily. Testes and blood samples were collected from all the groups, for the histological and biochemical activities.

Results showed overall, increase in body weight with siginificant differences in sperm count in all the treatment groups. Administration of high dose of Datura extract was found to have adverse effect on the histological findings in the testes. Extract of Datura stramonium plant is toxic since single extraction shows presence of scopolamine. Abuse of the flower of the plant pose cholinergic poisoning due to scopolamine, significantly reduces male fertility evidenced by increase in the number of abnormal sperm motility and altered testicular morphology.