Impact of Gestational Stress and Administration of Moringa oleifera Leaveson Post-Natal Reproductive Development of Male Offspring of Wistar Rats
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Abstract
Maternal health and perinatal environment especially during pregnancy greatly impact offspring postnatal reproductive development. Pregnant women frequently use herbal products to improve their health as safe alternatives to conventional drugs. MoringaoleiferaLeaf Extract (MoLE) may have antioxidant and anti-stress properties. This study investigated the impact of prenatal MoLE exposure in chronic stress environment on the postnatal reproductive development of male offspring of Wistar rats. Twenty-five (25) healthy virgin female Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, and exposed to MoLE and chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) protocol for 2 weeks, as follows: Group I (control), Group II (5 mg/kg body weight/day of MoLE), Group III (10 mg/kg body weight/day of MoLE), Group IV (CUS + 5 mg/kg body weight/day of MoLE), Group V (CUS + 10 mg/kg body weight/day of MoLE). Pups were monitored for puberty onset, and their body weight, length, body mass index (BMI), and sex hormone levels were measured at puberty onset. Reproductive organs were weighed and examined histologically. MoLE and CUS exposure were associated with significant increases in postnatal body weight, length, BMI, and reproductive organ weights, along with histological changes and delayed puberty onset in offspring. Findings suggest that prenatal MoLE exposure in a chronic stress environment can lead to accelerated postnatal growth and delayed puberty in offspring.
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