A Comparative Evaluation of Selected Medicinal Plants on Male Fertility Indices (Reproductive Hormones and Sperm Profile) of Albino Wistar Rats: An Animal Case Study

Abstract

The study aims to investigate the effects of the medicinal plants {seeds} on the  reproductive hormones and sperm profile of male albino rats to ascertain their possible usefulness  as  fertility agent. Walnuts [Tetracarpidium conophorum], Sesame (Sesamine indicum), and Velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) seeds were obtained and taken to the Department of plant  Science and  Biotechnology, University of  Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). The seeds were milled into fine powder. One hundred and ten sexually matured aibino rats of about twelve weeks weighing 130-180 g were divided into eleven groups (1-11) using completely randomized design. There were two different control groups and rats in group 1 served as the Control 1 and were fed with normal commercial feed. Rats in group 2 were administered with a drug (Ketoconazole) to induce infertility. The Infertility Induced groups were treated with low dose (groups 3-5), medium dose (groups 6-8) and  high dose (9-11) for the period of nine (9) weeks. At the end and testes and Epididymides were surgically removed and weighed. Blood  sample analysis revealed that the concentration of sex hormones  measured in the male rats fed with medium plants (seeds) showed that the testosterone concentration significanty increased (p<0.05) in animal control group 1(normal rats) Therefore,  these medicinal plants walnut seeds showed significant increase in their testosterone concentration, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) which significantly enhanced the production of reproductive hormones which enriched the fertility status of these animals.