Effects of ethanol extract of <i>Tridax procumbens</i> on spermiogram and reproductive hormones in Wistar rat

Abstract

Therapeutic potentials of medicinal plants in the improvement of semen characteristics and reproductive hormones have been reported by some authors. This study explored such potentials in Tridax procumbens which is from the family Asteraceae. Twenty-five adult male albino wistar rats were used for this study, divided into five groups (Groups A to E) of 5 rats each receiving 0mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg and 800mg/kg of ethanol extract of Tridax procumbens leaf respectively for 28days. The seminal volume and concentration of the ethanol extract treated groups D (5.16±0.05, 94.40±9.58, respectively) and E(5.18 ±0.04, 110.40±4.86, respectively), were higher significantly (p<0.05) compared to ethanol extract treated groups B(5.12± 0.08, 91.80±12.72 respectively), C(5.11 ±0.05, 85.60± 8.20 respectively) and control group A(5.02±0.18, 72.80±2.59 respectively). Sperm motility was higher significantly (p<0.05) in groups B (65.00±5.00), D (65.00 ±5.00) and E(86.00±6.52) when compared with group C (63.00± 8.3) and control group A (54.00± 4.18). Sperm percentage liveability was not significantly different among all groups (p> 0.05) though group E was the highest (97.20±1.64). Sperm morphological abnormality was significantly lower in group E (10.70± 0.54) compared to groups A (14.12 ±0.28), B(12.71 ±0.82), C(12.39± 0.95) and D (12.60± 0.49). Serum testosterone and follicle stimulating hormone concentrations were highest in group E(0.18 ±0.01 and 0.26± 0.07 respectively) and significant when compared with all the other groups A(0.11± 0.01 and 0.05 ±0.16 respectively), B(0.11± 0.01 and 0.07± 0.07 respectively), C(0.14± 0.04 and 0.08± 0.01 respectively) and D(0.15 ±0.03 and 0.22± 0.26 respectively). Serum luteinizing hormone concentration was also highest in group E(0.34± 0.23) but significant when compared with only groups A(0.12 ±0.03), B(0.11± 0.01) and D(0.16± 0.07). This study revealed that ethanol leaf extract of Tridax procumbens given up to 800mg/kg could enhance the spermiogram and reproductive hormones of Wistar rats.

Keywords: Phytochemicals, Rats, Reproductive hormones, Spermiogram, Tridax procumbens