SPERMATIC EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM ADMINISTRATION OF AQUEOUS COLA ACUMINATA SEED EXTRACT IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS
Aprioku J. S.* and Kari F. E.
ABSTRACT
Cola acuminata (kola nut) is an important medicinal plant which is widely consumed. It is claimed locally by some to cause low sperm count. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of thirty days oral treatment with aqueous C. acuminata seed extract on sperm indices. The study was carried out at two different dose levels of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight using Wistar albino rats. Control group received distilled water. Epididynal sperm was collected and analyzed using standard methods. Phytochemical analysis of extract showed very high amount of alkaloids and high amounts of saponins and tannins. Extract caused significant (p<0.0001) decrease in sperm count. Extract caused marked reduction (p<0.0001) of proportion of actively motile sperms and simultaneously increased (p<0.0001) immotile sperm proportion, but slow motile sperms were not affected. Furthermore, proportion of sperms with normal morphology was decreased (p<0.0001) by extract while the reverse effect was seen on abnormal sperm morphology. There was no change in sperm viability. The result demonstrates that C. acuminata seed does not affect sperm viability, but decreases sperm count, motility and normal morphology in male rats.
Keywords: Cola acuminata, infertility, kola nut, spermatogenesis, sperm motility, testis.
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