Reversible Impairment of Male Reproductive Function and Acrosomal Enzyme Activity Following Exposure to a Benzene-Eluted Fraction from the Chloroform Extract of Carica papaya Seeds

^1*Onaolapo Mary Aderoju Olalonpe and ²Okafor Azubuike Ikechukwu

¹Department of Integrated Science, Federal University of Education, Zaria, Nigeria

²Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Cross River State, Calabar, Nigeria

^*Corresponding author: aderojuonaolapo@gmail.com; +2348034019683

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the reversible effects of a benzene-eluted fraction of Carica papaya seed chloroform extract on male reproductive function and acrosomal enzyme activity. Phytochemical screening identified alkaloids as the predominant constituents, alongside flavonoids, anthraquinones, tannins, cardiac glycosides, and saponins. Seventy-two male rats (190-210 g) were randomly assigned into three groups: control (vehicle), 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg. Treatments were administered orally for 21 consecutive days, followed by a 21-day withdrawal period, with evaluations conducted at 7-day intervals up to Day 42. Exposure resulted in significant (p < 0.05), dose- and time-dependent reductions across all assessed parameters. At the highest dose by Day 21, sperm count, motility, viability, and normal morphology decreased by approximately 51.4%, 54.2%, 53.3%, and 41.1%, respectively. Acrosomal enzyme activities were similarly suppressed, with acrosin and hyaluronidase reduced by up to 40.3% and 39.8%, respectively. Serum testosterone, acid phosphatase, and seminal sialic acid levels also showed marked dose-dependent declines, with maximum reductions of approximately 57.9%, 35.4%, and 48.3%, respectively. During the withdrawal phase (Days 28–42), all parameters exhibited progressive recovery toward control values; however, the high-dose group remained significantly lower than control at Day 42. The Composite Fertility Index further confirmed a substantial decline in overall fertilizing capacity during exposure, with incomplete restoration following cessation. Across all endpoints, the 200 mg/kg group consistently showed greater impairment than the 100 mg/kg group, indicating a clear dose-response relationship. These findings demonstrate that the benzene-eluted fraction of Carica papaya seed chloroform extract induces reversible, dose-dependent impairment of male reproductive function, likely mediated through coordinated disruption of spermatogenesis, acrosomal enzyme activity, and hormonal–biochemical processes.

Keywords: Carica papaya; benzene-eluted fraction; phytochemicals; spermatogenesis; acrosomal enzymes; hormonal–biochemical regulation; reversible toxicity

CITE AS: Onaolapo Mary Aderoju Olalonpe and Okafor Azubuike Ikechukwu (2026). Reversible Impairment of Male Reproductive Function and Acrosomal Enzyme Activity Following Exposure to a Benzene-Eluted Fraction from the Chloroform Extract of Carica papaya Seeds. IDOSR JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY, BIOTECHNOLOGY AND ALLIED FIELDS 11(2):1-9.  https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSR/JBBAF/2026/11219