EFFECTS OF METHANOL EXTRACT OF PERSEA AMERICANA (AVOCADO) AND VITAMIN E ON THE REPRODUCTIVE PARAMETERS OF MALE WISTAR RATS
Shafe M. O., Seriki S. A.*, Idachaba S. O. and Dare J. B.
ABSTRACT
Background: Persea Americana (avocado) is traditionally used for the treatment of various health problems such
as male infertility. The current research investigates the specific effects of methanolic extract of Avocado on the
male reproductive parameters of wistar rats. Method: Twenty-four (24) male wistar rats weighing between 160g
and 180g used for the study were divided into four groups (n=6); Group 1 was the control group, groups 2 and 3
were experimental groups given low (150mg/kg) and high (300mg/kg) doses of the extract respectively. Group 4
was given vitamin E (200mg/kg). The administration was for 56 days. On the 57th day, all the animals were
sacrificed and the epididymis, testes, seminal vesicles and prostate glands were harvested and weighed. The
histology of the testes was also conducted. Results: Group 2 showed significant increase in sperm count compared
to group 1 (control) p ≤ 0.05. Group 3 showed a slight decrease in sperm viability. The testosterone level and
epididymal organ weight for groups 2 and 3 significantly increased (p<0.05) when compared to the control group
and the group given Vitamin E. Though not significant, a slight increase was observed in follicle stimulating
hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in group 2 and 3. Conclusion: Persea americana enhances
fertility by improving sperm count but caused a slight decrease in sperm motility and viability which could be due
to the phenol content of the extract. The Persea americana extract also enhanced the FSH and LH levels thereby
promoting fertility.
Keywords: Persea americana, Reproductive Parameters, Sperm count, Luteinizing Hormone, Follicular Stimulating Hormone, Testosterone.
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