Volume 14, Issue 1: 2024 - Article 149

Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of oral administration of Curcuma longa rhizome (turmeric) powder on some reproductive hormones, reproduction related serum biochemical parameters and uterus of female rabbits. Sixteen mature rabbit does were used for the experiment. They were randomly assigned to four groups (A – D) of four does each. Groups A, B and C does received 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of turmeric powder mixed with 1 ml of distilled water. Group D (control) received 1 ml of distilled water as a placebo. All treatments were given per os, once daily for 45 days. Blood samples for the assay of the female reproductive hormones were collected on days 15 and 45 of treatment, while that for the assay of other reproduction related serum biochemical metabolites was only on day 45 of treatment. The uteri were collected on day 45 from three females in each group for histological evaluation. All laboratory evaluations followed standard procedures. Results showed that on both days 15 and 45, the mean serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) of rabbits in Groups B and C were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of rabbits in Groups A and D. The serum triglyceride levels of Groups B and C does were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of Groups A and D. The serum total protein levels of Group B does were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that of Group D does, while the serum MDA of group B was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than those of Groups A and C. The serum phosphorus levels of Group A does were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than those of all other groups. Uterine sections from rabbits in all groups showed no lesions. It was concluded that Curcuma longa powder, as used in the study, especially at higher doses (500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg), led to significantly higher serum levels of FSH and did not lead to any deleterious effects on serum levels of oestradiol, other reproduction related biochemical metabolites, and the uterine histomorphology of the rabbit does.

Keywords: Curcuma longa rhizome; Turmeric; Female rabbits; Reproductive hormones; Serum biochemistry; Uterus.

How to cite this article:
Ekere SO, Ihedioha JI, Obidike IR, Njoku AL and Anya KO (2024). Effects of oral administration of Curcuma longa rhizome
(turmeric) powder on some reproductive hormones, reproduction related serum biochemical parameters and uterine
histomorphology of female rabbits. Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences, 14(1): 607 – 617.

*Correspondence: E-mail:     adachy09@gmail.com      Phone: +2348064971383

Effects of oral administration of Curcuma longa rhizome (turmeric) powder on some reproductive hormones, reproduction related serum biochemical parameters and uterine histomorphology of female rabbits

Samuel O. Ekere ¹, John I. Ihedioha ², Ikechukwu R. Obidike ³, Adachi L. Njoku ^{1 *}, Kenneth O. Anya ^1
1 Department of Veterinary Obstetrics and Reproductive Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
² Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
³ Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,  University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

Download .pdf copy here >>