Comparative Effects of Double Root Coffee and African Walnut on Sexual Behaviour and Semen Parameters in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

This experimental study evaluated the effects of double root coffee (Coffea species) and African walnut (Tetracarpidium conophorum) on sex drive and semen profile in adult male Wistar rats. Ten rats were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 2 per group): Group A (control), Group B (coffee), Group C (walnut), Group D (low-dose combination), and Group E (high-dose combination). Treatment lasted four weeks. Parameters assessed included body weight, relative testes weight, semen profile (sperm motility, count, and morphology), and sexual behavior (sniffing and mounting frequencies). Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by LSD post hoc test, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results showed no significant differences in relative testes weight across groups, while Group E recorded a significant reduction in body weight compared to control. Sperm motility and sperm count were significantly increased in Groups B–E compared to control (p = 0.001), whereas sperm morphology showed no significant changes. Sexual behavior analysis revealed significantly higher sniffing frequency in Groups B (11.33 ± 1.33; p = 0.001), C (9.67 ± 0.88; p = 0.003), D (13.00 ± 1.00; p = 0.001), and E (12.67 ± 1.20; p = 0.001) relative to control (4.00 ± 0.58). Mounting frequency also increased significantly in Groups B (9.67 ± 0.88; p = 0.001), C (10.53 ± 0.88; p = 0.005), D (12.00 ± 1.15; p = 0.001), and E (12.00 ± 1.15; p = 0.001) compared to control (5.00 ± 0.57). In conclusion, double root coffee and African walnut, alone or in combination, improved sperm motility, sperm count, and sexual behavior in male Wistar rats, with combination groups showing the greatest enhancements. However, sperm morphology and relative testes weight remained unaffected. Given the very small sample size (n = 2 per group), these findings should be interpreted cautiously. Further studies with larger cohorts, hormonal assays, and longer treatment duration are required to validate these preliminary results and clarify their clinical relevance.