<i>Manihot esculenta</i> Leaf Extracts Disrupt Spermatogenesis in Wistar Rats

Manihot esculenta (M. esculenta) is widely used in traditional medicine and is known for its pharmacological properties. This study evaluated the effects of ethanolic leaf extracts of M. esculenta on biochemical markers of fertility, testicular histology, and epididymal sperm count in male Wistar rats. Ethanolic extraction and phytochemical screening were performed on powdered M. esculenta leaves using standard methods. Two groups of twenty adult male Wistar rats were included in the study. The control group received distilled water, while the treated group received ethanolic leaf extract of M. esculenta (200 mg/kg body weight) for 6 and 12 weeks. Body and testicular weights were recorded, and blood samples were collected to measure biochemical fertility markers. Testis and epididymis histology were analyzed, and sperm count was assessed. Phytochemical screening detected alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and saponins, which affect male fertility. A significant decrease in serum testosterone was observed in treated rats at 6 weeks (p 0.05). Epididymal sperm counts significantly decreased after 6 weeks (p M. esculenta leaf extracts impair reproduction in male Wistar rats, highlighting potential contraceptive effects.