Assessing the Dose-Dependent Impact of Chaya Leaf (Jatropha Tanjorensis) Aqueous Extract on the Reproductive Health of Adult Male Wistar Rats

Jatropha tanjorensis is known for its several applications both in traditional medicine and as edible vegetable in local delicacies. It is popularly employed in Nigeria for the treatment of anemia, diabetes and Malaria. This case-control aimed to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of dose-dependent Jatropha tanjorensis (chaya) leaf the reproductive parameters of male wistar rats. Total of forty n=40 male wistar rats weighing 130-150g (about 12 weeks old) were grouped into five groups of n=8 rats each, (group A to E), Group A served as negative control ( just water and feed only),while Group B(Low dose of Jatropha tanjorensis,200mg/kg),Group C (Medium dose of Jatropha tanjorensis ,400mg/kg), Group D, (High dose of Jatropha tanjorensis, 600mg/kg), Group E (Positive control ,just folic acid drugs and feed only).Results on the relative testicular weight showed non-significant increase in groups B and C (P.> 0.05) while groups D and E had a significant decrease (P<0.05) when compared to group A. The results of sperm motility and total sperm count showed a statistically significant increase (P<0.05) in active sperm cells in groups B, C, D, and E respectively when compared to A. Also, comparison made to group E showed an increase in groups B and D (P<0.05) while group C had a decrease but not significant (P>0.05) in group D while groups B and C were not significant. (P>0.05). The result of sperm morphology showed a significant increase in the mean percentage of the normal sperm cells in groups B, C, D, and E (P<0.05) compared to A. But comparison made to group E showed no significant difference in groups B, C, and D (P>0.05) respectively. The abnormal sperm cell result showed a significant increase in groups B, C, D, and E (P<0.05) respectively compared to A. The result of testosterone showed an increase in the mean testosterone level in groups B, C, D, and E. Compared to placebo groups, A group showed significance difference(P<0.05) in groups D and E while groups B and C had no significance differences (P>0.05). The FSH result test showed a decrease in groups B, C, D, and E respectively and when compared to group A group B had no significance differences (P>0.05) whereas groups C, D, and E had significance differences (P<0.05) respectively