Microscopic Features of the Testes Following Oral Administration of Ethanolic Extract of Alchornea Cordifolia Leaves to Wistar Rats

Background of the study Infertility is considered one of the main public health issues, as it affects about 15 % of the couples of reproductive age. The male factor is involved in 40 % - 50 % of infertility cases In the recent times the use of herbal plants to enhance fertility is on the increase. Objectives this study investigated the effects of Alchornea cordifolia leave extract on the histology of testes in the adult wistar rats. Materials and methods twenty adult male wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups marked A, B, C, and D. Group A and B served as the controls and received normal saline and olive oil respectively. Group C and D received 500 and 1000mg/kg bd. w of the extract respectively for fourteen (14) days. The animals were sacrificed on the fifteen day using chloroform inhalation method. The testes were harvested and processed using routine H and E staining method. Results The tissue sections of the testes in control groups (A and B) expressed normal presentations while groups C and D that were given 500mg/kg bd. w and 1000mg/kg bd. w of ethanolic extract of A. cordifolia showed increased proliferating spermatogonia at various stages of maturation with intervening sertoli cells. Conclusion A cordifolia increased spermatogonia proliferation therefore may be considered as a supplement to increase production of spermatozoa