Ethanol-induced male infertility: Effects of aqueous leaf extract of Tetracarpidium conophorum

This study investigated the effects of Tetracarpidium conophorum leaf extract on infertility induced by ethanol in male rats. Thirty rats were randomly divided into six groups of five animals each: Group 1 (positive control) received 0.9% saline only; Group 2 (ethanol alone) were given only 30% ethanol orally at 7 ml/kg body weight per day, thrice in a week; groups 3, 4 and 5 were given ethanol and co-treated with 50, 500 and 1,000 mg/kg body weight of leaf extract, respectively, while Group 6 was given ethanol and co-treated with a fertility drug, clomiphene citrate. Ethanol treatment resulted in significant (p < .05) decrease in LDH activity, G-6PDH activity, glycogen content, 3β and 17β HSD activities and testicular and epididymal Zn and Se contents and furthermore decrease in testicular sperm count, viability and marked increment in total sperm abnormalities, rate of sperm analysis parameters and consequently decreased reproductive hormone levels. Interestingly, co-administration of ethanol with either T. conophorum extract or drug almost ameliorated the toxic assault imposed by ethanol on reproductive organs and improved seminal qualities of the rats.