Volume 19, Issue 43, January - June, 2025

Relationship between cyanide poisoning in cassava effluent and epididymis of Albino Wistar rats

Gabriel Donatus Edem^1♦, Akpan Udo Ekanem¹, Eno Uwah Ettetor², Onome Gabriel Ahorituwere¹

¹Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Nigeria
²Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Nigeria

^♦Corresponding author
Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The epididymis is primarily known for temporary storage and development of sperm to maturation. Cassava effluent (Garri and Fufu effluent) contains many antinutrients such as cyanide. This research was conducted to investigate the relationship between cyanide poisoning in cassava effluent and the epididymis of Wistar rats. Twenty Wistar rats weighing between 113-203g were randomly divided into five groups (I-V) of four rats each. Each group was administered both effluents as follows for 28 days. Group I was labeled the control group; Group II was administered with 20ml/kg of Garri effluent for 28 days; Group III was administered with 10ml/kg of Garri effluent for 28 days; Group IV was administered with 20ml/kg of Fufu effluent for 28 days and Group V was administered with 10ml/kg of Fufu effluent for 28 days. The hormonal analysis showed an elevated level of prolactin for all experimental groups compared to the control group. Histomorphological assessment of the epididymis was done using hematoxylin and eosin staining techniques. The histomorphological analysis revealed cassava effluent administration led to histopathological changes in the epithelial layer, blood vessels epididymal lumen, smooth muscle layer and the spermatozoa. The result showed that groups treated with 20ml/kg of Garri showed the greatest alteration. The alterations in all sections of the experimental animals were dose- dependent. Conclusively, cassava effluent due to cyanide toxicity causes severe histopathological changes in the epididymis, which can have adverse effects on its reproductive function.

Keywords: Cassava effluent, epididymis, cyanide, prolactin, histomorphology, Wistar rats

Drug Discovery, 2025, 19(43), e1dd2013

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v19i43.e1dd2013

Published: 03 January 2025