Fertility effects of Anacardium occidentale (Cashew leaves) in the West African Dwarf bucks

Abstract

Anacardium occidentale is a plant known for its vast medicinal properties and has been used in Nigeria for the treatment of several ailments. However, little is known about its effects on fertility in animals. This study was designed to assess the fertility effects of the aqueous leaf extract of Anacardium occidentale in the West African Dwarf breeding bucks. Sixteen West African Dwarf bucks were assigned into 2 groups A and B (n=8). Group A received a daily oral dose of 250mg/kg aqueous leaf extract of Anacardium occidentale for 14 days, while B served as the control. Blood and semen sample, as well as testes and epididymis were harvested from the bucks at days 7 and 14 post-treatment. Administration of aqueous leaf extract of Anacardium occidentale caused a significant decrease in RBC count, total protein and albumin level, semen volume and sperm motility. It also caused a reduction in the total number of morphologically abnormal sperm cells and a mild reduction in scrotal circumference, testicular and epididymal weight and diameter. It caused an increase in the size of the epididymal and testicular germinal luminal diameter and a decrease in epididymal and testicular germinal height. These suggested that its prolonged use in West African Dwarf breeding bucks may produce anti-fertility effect. Therefore, its incorporation into animal feeds must be done with caution.