Effects of Anthocleista Djalonensis (Chev.) methanol root bark extract on some fertility parameters in male rats

Abstract

Background: Anthocleista djalonensis is a West African plant with several ethnomedicinal uses.

Objectives: This study evaluated the effect of Anthocleista djalonensis methanol root bark extract on fertility parameters in male rats.

Material and Methods: The rats were randomly allotted to four groups (n=5). Group A (control) received distilled water (10 ml/kg), groups B, C, D received oral doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day of the extract respectively for 28 days. The mean body, testicular, and epididymal weights; sperm indices; and serum testosterone level were assessed.

Results: There were no significant changes on the body weights of the treated rats but their testicular and epididymal weights increased significantly (P˂0.05) at the dose of 400 mg/kg in comparison with the control group. Sperm indices such as sperm count, motility, morphology and viability increased significantly (P˂0.05) at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg/day when compared to the control. There was also a significant (P˂0.05) increase in serum testosterone concentration at the dose of 400 mg/kg/day of the extract.

Conclusion: The results suggest that the methanol root bark extract of A. djalonensis improves fertility parameters in male rats thereby justifying its use in ethnomedicine.

Keywords: Sperm count, testosterone level, spermatogenesis, oxidative stress