This study looks into the effects of an aqueous extract of Parguetina nigrescens on testicular injury caused by aluminium nitrate in male Wistar rats. Twenty male Wistar rats, weighing an average of 180–240 g, were used in the experiment. They were split into five groups at random, each containing four rats. Group A (control), received rat pellet and water ad libitum during the experiment. For a period of two weeks, Group B and C were administered an aqueous extract of Parguetina nigrescens at dose of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg per body weight, respectively. Group E was given 100 mg/kg of Parguetina nigrescens and 100 mg/kg of aluminium nitrate per body weight simultaneously for two weeks, while Group D received 100 mg/kg of aluminium nitrate only. At the conclusion of the experiment, animals were killed by cervical dislocation, the rats' caudal epididymis was excised for semen analysis, and the testes were preserved in Bouin's fluid for additional histological examinations. Weekly weight measurements of the animals were made, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine the data. Histological results showed that group D displayed non-uniform degenerative changes, while group E displayed signs of testis histoarchitecture recovery. Sperm motility and count increased in groups B and C relative to the control group at p-value <0.05. Additionally, there was a negligible rise in body weight throughout the group at p<0.05. According to this study, Parguetina nigrescens aqueous extract improves male fertility and lessens the damaging effects of aluminium nitrate on the testes.

Keywords: Parquetina nigrescens, Aluminum nitrate, Testes