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EFFECTS OF ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS (OKRA) ON REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTIONS IN MALE RATS
Author(s) -
OlatunjiBello Ibiyemi I,
Ijiwole Temitope,
Awobajo Funmileyi O.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.a1421-b
Subject(s) - abelmoschus , testicular atrophy , atrophy , testosterone (patch) , sperm , endocrinology , medicine , luteinizing hormone , biology , body weight , sperm motility , hormone , zoology , andrology , agronomy
The effects of Abelmoschus esculentus on the male reproductive parameters were investigated. Furthermore, it was investigated if the rats would recover from these effects. The control group was made up of 6 rats, the extract‐treated group consisted of 7rats, first week of recovery group contained 5 rats and second week of recovery group contained 5 rats. A dose of 70mg/kg of methanolic extract of A. esculentus was given to the extract treated, first week of recovery and second week of recovery groups orally for a duration of 4weeks (28 days). The recovery groups were left untreated after the 28 day for one and two weeks respectively. A. esculentus significantly reduced (P < 0.05) sperm motility, sperm count, live/dead ratio and it increased percent abnormality. A. esculentus had no effect on epididymal volume neither did it have any significant effect on both testosterone nor luteinizing hormone serum levels (p> 0.05). A. esculentus reduced the mean weight of testes, this is supported by the histological studies which showed testicular atrophy. There was significant reduction in the weight of the prostate gland. On the other hand, A. esculentus significantly increased body weight (P< 0.05).These effects were reversed after 2 weeks recovery period. We therefore conclude that A. esculentus may reduce fertility of male rats as a result of the testicular atrophy seen, which is reversible while causing weight gain.