Ethanolic Extract of African Walnut Fruits on Male Reproductive Parameters in Adult Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

This study seeks to investigate the effects of African Walnut Fruit in the reproductive system of adult male Wistar rats. Twenty (20) male rats were used for this present study. Animals were grouped into Control, Low (500 mg/kg) and High Dose (1500mg/kg) of African Walnut fruits. These fruits were extracted using standard procedures. The extract was administered orally using oral gavage for 21 days. Twenty- four (24) hours after the last administration of the plant extract, the animals were sacrificed. Testis and epididymis were harvested and used for histological studies; semen was collected for semen analysis. Data were expressed as mean ± S.E.M. The difference between the tested groups and the control was analysed using a one-way ANOVA. Values were considered statistically significant when p is ≤ 0.05. The results gotten from this study showed that consumption of this fruit extract increased sperm count (control: 483.33 ± 90.83; low dose: 583.33 ± 50; high dose: 500 ± 57.74), sperm viability (control: 80 ± 2.89; low dose: 83 ± 1.58; high dose: 85 ± 2.89) and testosterone levels (control: 1.157±0.06; low dose: 1.370 ± 0.056; high dose: 1.295 ± 0.021). African walnut fruits have shown a significant effect on male reproductive parameters. This natural plant possesses the tendency to improve sperm count, sperm viability, and morphology may likely solve the problem of infertility.