ISSN 2375-1177
African Journal of Agriculture and Food Security ISSN: 2375-1177 Vol. 12 (3), pp. 001-004, March, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Exploring the impact of sugar cane molasses on testicular steroidogenesis in cell cultures
Farzana Rahiman and Edmund John Pool*
Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, South Africa.
Accepted 10 November, 2023
Abstract
Blackstrap molasses has been used for centuries in the preparation of food products and have also been used to treat numerous ailments such as high blood pressure, arthritis, ulcers, dermatitits, eczema, constipation, colitis, varicose veins and many other health problems. Reports suggest that blackstrap molasses may have endocrine disruptive effects in cattle. The present study investigated the effect of sugar cane (Saccharum officinarium) molasses on steroidogenesis in testis cell culture. Testis cell cultures were incubated with various concentrations of molasses. Luteinizing hormone was used to stimulate the production of testosterone in the testes cell culture. Supernatants of the testes cell cultures were then assayed for testosterone, oestradiol and cytotoxicity using commercially available kits. Results showed that low concentrations (12 - 50 ug/ml) of molasses increase testosterone secretion relative to control cultures (P < 0.05). None of the molasses concentrations tested were cytotoxic. This study has shown that molasses stimulate testosterone production. Therefore, molasses may potentially be used as a diet supplement to increase testosterone levels.
Key words: Molasses, testosterone, male reproductive system, immunostimulation.