Effect of Organic Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Feeding on Testicular Histology of Rabbits Exposed to Ultraviolet Radiation

Abstract

A total of thirty six male rabbits ranging in weight between 450-600g were weight-balanced into six treatment groups that received rabbit diets either without turmeric (D₁) or with turmeric (D₂) at varying periods within a nine- week experimental period. The treatments were T0, T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 for control, D₂ plus exposure to UV radiation, D₂ until radiation, D₂ after radiation, D₁ throughout the experimental period with UV radiation and D₂ throughout the experimental period without UV radiation, respectively. Testicular histology revealed that feeding organic turmeric in the diet before exposure conferred some protection on the testicular tissue while the feeding of turmeric in the diet after exposure corrected the damage inflicted by exposure to UV radiation. The group (T4) that did not receive turmeric showed conspicuous damage in the testicular tissue on exposure to ultraviolet radiation. It was concluded that organic turmeric could alleviate the histological damage on account of exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Key words: Organic turmeric, Ultraviolet radiation, Rabbit, Testis, Histology