ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of leachate toxicity on the male reproductive parameters. The research objective was to determine the effect of leachate exposure on body weight, reproductive organs weight, serum level of testosterone and luteinizing hormone, semen variables including sperm count, motility, and morphology of adult male Sprague-dawley rats. Thirty adult male Sprague-dawley rats weighing between 180-250g were used for this study and they were randomly divided into two groups (n=2). Group 1: was the control and was administered no leachate, distilled water was used as placebo. Group 2: was the test group and administered leachate orally. Treatment was administered for three weeks (21 days). Body weight was assessed weekly and at the end of the experiment. Blood was collected by retroorbital puncture through the orbital sinus and the reproductive organs to be assessed; testis, epididymis, prostate gland, and seminal vesicle with coagulating gland, were removed and weighed. Blood serum was assayed for testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels. Results obtained showed a significant difference in the testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels in the serum. The results obtained show that leachate has adverse and detrimental effects on the overall male reproductive system, widespread affecting the reproductive and accessory organs, total body weight, sperm variables hormonal level. The study also showed a significant increase in the prostate weight in leachate induced or treated group, when the treated group were compared to the untreated or control group, suggesting organ dysfunction implication of leachate toxicity also possibly indicted in benign prostate hyperplasia, although extensive research in this area is required to further elucidate underlying pathologic mechanism. The threat of the toxicity of landfill leachate is a growing issue that requires immediate tackling, the colossal impact it has on the human system particularly the reproductive system in male individuals calls for drastic measures to tackle this ever growing threat to the environment and humanity.

Keywords: Leachate, Leachate toxicity, Leachate exposure, Landfill leachate, Male reproductive parameters, environmental toxicology, Reproductive system