Effects of <i>Lippia multiflora</i> leaf extract on the semen of Wistar rat

Abstract

To investigate the effect of Lippia multiflora (Verbanaceae) on the reproductive activity of male Wistar rats, three groups (A,B and C) of rats were treated with 400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg/day of Lippia multiflora leaves extract respectively for 28 days while 5ml/kg of distilled water was given to the control group D. At the end of the experimental period, animals were sacrificed and sperm characteristics, histology of the testes and epididymis were assessed. Lippia multiflora leaf extract caused a significant reduction (P<0.05) in sperm motility, a statistically significant dose dependent reduction in the sperm count and a significant (P<0.05) dose dependent increase in morphological abnormalities of the spermatozoa of the treated rats. Histopathological evaluation of the testis and epididymis revealed varying degrees of degeneration and necrosis of the germinal epithelia cell of the seminiferous tubules, spermiostasis and complete epididymal aspermia. Lippia multiflora leaf extract has significant anti-spermatogenic effects on adult male Wistar rats which could impair reproductive activities in these rats.

Keywords: extract, Lippia multiflora, rats, sperm.