Effects of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) Rhizome on Serum Progesterone Level and Markers of Oxidative Stress in African Giant Rat (Cricetomys Gambianus) in Captivity

The African giant rat is a very prolific animal in its natural biotope. But in captivity, this species exhibits poor reproductive performance due to embryonic resorption. These resorptions are due to oxidative stress or a lack of progesterone production. This study was carried out to evaluate whether aqueous and ethanolic extracts of ginger, given their antioxidant and steroidogenic properties, can improve the antioxidant status and serum progesterone level during gestation in African giant rats. For this purpose, twenty-eight adult female African giant rats were divided into seven treatments comparable in terms of body weight: the control group received only avocado paste (7 g/day), while the other groups received either aqueous or ethanolic extracts at doses of 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg bw in a homogeneous mixture of paste. Animals were individually housed and had free access to food and drinking water. Eight days after the start of the test, the females were bred with males. Each female was sacrificed on the 15th day post-coitus, then the blood was collected from the jugular vein and centrifuged at 3500 rpm for 15 minutes and the serum obtained was used for the determination of progesterone and markers of oxidative stress concentrations. The results showed that except for females who had received 750 mg/kg bw of aqueous extract, the serum progesterone level was significantly (P˂0.05) higher in the treated animals compared to the control. The administration of the ethanolic extract at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg bw induced a significant (P˂0.05) increase in the levels of malondialdehyde, catalase and superoxide dismutase compared to the control group. On the other hand, the administration of aqueous extract significantly (p<0.05) lowered the level of total peroxidases compared to the control. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of ginger can be used to increase serum progesterone levels, but cannot be used to improve oxidative stress status.