Duration-dependent effects of Allium cepa on sperm parameters and hormonal profile in adult male Wistar rats

<p align="left" style="text-align:left; margin-bottom:13px"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height:200%">Summary</span></b></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align:justify; margin-bottom:13px"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height:200%">Introduction:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height:200%"> Male reproductive function is regulated by hormonal, structural, and cellular interactions within the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. <i>Allium cepa</i> has been reported to influence metabolic and reproductive processes, but its duration-dependent effects remain unclear.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align:justify; margin-bottom:13px"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height:200%">Objective:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height:200%"> This study investigated the effects of <i>Allium cepa</i> on body weight, reproductive organ weights, sperm parameters, and hormonal profile in adult male Wistar rats following 28-day and 56-day administration.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align:justify; margin-bottom:13px"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height:200%">Methods:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height:200%"> Thirty adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to six groups with five rats in each group. The two control groups received no treatment, while the treatment groups received 4 mg/kg or 13.6 mg/kg body weight of <i>Allium cepa</i> for 28 days and 56 days. Body weight changes and testes and epididymal weights and sperm parameters and serum levels of testosterone, follicle stimulating hormones, luteinizing hormones, prolactin, progesterone and oestradiol (E2) were assessed. Data were analysed with one-way ANOVA testing, which established statistical significance at <i>p </i>&lt; 0.05.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align:justify; margin-bottom:13px"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height:200%">Results:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height:200%"> At 28 days, <i>Allium cepa</i> administration resulted in reduced body weight, decreased testicular weight, impaired sperm parameters, and significantly lower testosterone levels. In contrast, after 56 days of administration, treated rats exhibited increased body weight, improved testicular weight, enhanced sperm count and motility, increased testosterone levels, and reduced oestradiol (E2) levels.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align:justify; margin-bottom:13px"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height:200%">Conclusion:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height:200%"> <i>Allium cepa</i> exhibits a biphasic, duration-dependent effect on male reproductive function, with adverse effects observed at 28 days and significant improvements following 56 days of administration.</span></span></span></span></p>