Effect of Breadfruit Seeds (Artocarpus altilis) on Male Reproductive Characteristics of Adult Male Wistar Rat

Abstract

Male reproductive characteristics, such as sperm quality, quantity and motility, are important factors in male fertility.  Low sperm count, poor sperm motility and abnormal sperm morphology are all associated with reduced fertility. Other factors that can affect male reproductive characteristics and fertility include genetics, lifestyle factors, age and exposure to environmental toxins. This study seeks to investigate the effect of breadfruit seed (artocarpusaltilis)on Male Reproductive Parameters in Adult Male Wistar Rat. Twelve (12) male rats were used for the present study. Animals were grouped into control, low (500 mg/kg) and high (1500 mg/kg) dose ethanolic extract garden eggs. The extract was administered orally for duration of 21 days. Twenty four (24) hours after the last day administration, animals were sacrificed. The testes and epididymis were harvested and used for histological studies; semen was collected for semen analysis. Data were expressed as mean ± SEM. The mean difference between the tested groups and the control was tested using a one-way ANOVA. Values were considered statistically significant when P is ≤ 0.05. Sperm count values (control: 483.33 ± 90.83; low dose: 500 ± 57.74; high dose: 583.33 ± 50), sperm viability (control: 80 ± 2.89; low dose: 83.33 ± 1.58; high dose: 85 ± 2.89) and testosterone levels (control: 1.157 ± 0.60; low dose: 0.630 ± 0.283; high dose: 1.410 ± 0.283) improved in the treatment groups.  Breadfruit seed may improve the chances of fertility because it increased testosterone level, sperm count, viability in experimental animals.