Effects of methanolic leaf extract of Piper guineense on some reproductive parameters of male albino rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of the administration of methanolic leaf extract of Piper guineense on serum concentration of testosterone, cauda epididymal sperm reserves (CESR), gonadosomatic weights of the testes and epididymides as well as testicular histomorphology of male albino rats. Twenty four adult male rats of 12 weeks of age were used for the study. Commercial pelleted feed and water were provided ad libitum. The rats were randomly selected into 4 groups of six rats each designated A, B, C and D. Group A served as untreated control and received only distilled water; while groups B, C and D received 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of the methanolic leaf extract of Piper guineense respectively for 30 days. Oral administration of the plant leaf extract was done every other day with the aid of orogastric cannula. There was no significant variation (p>0.05) in the mean serum testosterone concentration and cauda epididymal sperm reserves across the different groups. However, the mean gonadosomatic weights of the testes of the different treatment groups and the mean gonadosomatic weight of the epididymis of only group C (100 mg/kg body weight) were significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of the control. There was no obvious histomorphologic lesion in testes of the rats of the different groups. It was concluded that oral administration of methanolic seed extract of P. guineense at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight every other day for 30 days did not affect testosterone concentration, CESR and testicular histomorphology but caused an increase in the allometric weight of the testes.

Keywords: Piper guineense, Testis, Testosterone, Cauda epididymal sperm reserves, Rattus norvegicus