METHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF THE FRUIT OF ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS (OKRO) CAUSES INCREASE IN THE SERUM CONCENTRATION OF SOME REPRODUCTIVE HORMONES AND DECREASES TOTAL SPERM COUNT IN MALE ALBINO WISTAR RATS

Kyrian Uchenna Nwoke*, Amah-Tariah Fortune Sominitari, Datonye Victor Dapper, Charles Izuchukwu Ifedi

ABSTRACT

This study was aimed at determining the effect of the methanolic extract of abelmoschus esculentus(okro) on the serum concentration of key male reproductive hormones and total sperm count in male albino wistar rats. We also tried to ascertain the reproductive safety of the fruit in males using animal models.In this study, twenty five male albino wistar rats weighing 180-220g were grouped into five of five rats each, after two weeks of acclimatization. Group1 served as the control and were given water and normal rat chaw while groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 served as the test groups and were orally administered with (250, 500, 750 and 1000)mg/kg of okro extract respectively. After six weeks of extract administration, the rats were anaesthetized using chloroform and 5ml of blood was collected from each rat through cardiac puncture. The blood was centrifuged and the serum was used for hormonal assay of testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Scrotal incision was done on the rats and semen was collected from their caudal epididymis for the analysis of total sperm count.The result of the study showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in the serum level of T, LH and FSH with a surprising significant (p<0.05) decrease in total sperm count in the test groups when compared with the control group. The result of this study depicts that okro may not be very good for males who are still producing children especially those that have previously had infertility problems. We therefore advise males of this category to consume okro meals with caution.

Keywords: Abelmoschus Esculentus, Testosterone, Infertility, Sperm, Hormones.