Profertility effects of aqueous leaf extract of <i>Telfairia occidentalis</i> in adult male Wistar rats

Abstract

Telfairia occidentalis is a leafy vegetable consumed commonly for its nutritional and medicinal effects. However, few studies have been carried out on its fertility effects in males with most of such studies offering conflicting results. The present study evaluated the effects of aqueous extract of the leaves of T. occidentalis on male fertility in adult wistar rats. The thirty rats used for this study were randomized into groups A, B and C. Rats in groups B & C were treated with 500 and 1000mg/kg.bwt of the leaf extract respectively by gavage for 56 days while group A served as control. The sperm characteristics, male hypothalamo-pituitary gonadal axis hormones and histological studies were carried out according to existing laboratory methods. Results from all the parameters studied showed that the aqueous extract of leaves of T. occidentalis exhibited profertility properties in adult male wistar rats. Further research to determine the components of the leaf extract implicated in the outcomes observed and the mechanism of action would be necessary.

Keywords: Profertility, Telfairia occidentalis, Wistar rats