Evaluation of the Ethanolic Extract of the Fruit of Dennettia tripetala on Fertility Indices of Male Wistar Rats

A major burden of infertility exist in Africa, where it presents an enormous challenge due to social and cultural demands associated with the condition, thereby causing severe psychological and emotional distress to infertile couples. Male factor infertility also contribute tremendously to the incidence of infertility among couples. This study was done to investigate the effects of the fruit of Dennettia tripetala on fertility of male wistar rats. Male wistar rats were divided into three (3) groups of six (6) rats each. Group one (1) which served as control received distilled water. Group two (2) and group three (3) were treated with 100mg/kg bw and 200mg/kg bw of the ethanolic extract of the fruit of Dennettia tripetala respectively. Hormone and sperm quality studies lasted for 30 and 58 days respectively. The results obtained showed that the extract caused significant increase in level of serum testosterone, testicular and epidydimal weights as well as the percentage of actively motile cells and sperm count. It however, did not significantly alter the serum levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone. This study proved that, the fruit of Dennettia tripetala possesses fertility enhancing effects in male wistar rats.