Ex-vivo Assessment of Mango (Mangifera indica) and Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) Leaf Extracts on Male Fertility: Impact on Sperm Parameters

Rapid population growth challenges developing nations. Mango (Mangifera indica) and Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) leaves, known for antimalarial effects, demonstrate spermicidal potential, suggesting natural fertility control options amid rising reproductive health concerns and limited access to conventional contraceptives. Hence, this study looked into the in vitro potential of the aqueous extracts of M. indica and A. occidentale leaves on sperm concentration, sperm motility, and sperm morphology. The extracts were prepared by dissolving 0.5 g of the dried leaf powder in 100 mL of distilled water. The aqueous extracts of the herbs (10 μL) were added directly to 10 μL of sperm suspension of the sperm collected from adult male albino rats. The spermicidal effects of the extracts were observed using a microscope and compared to those of normal control sperm at the same volume ratio. The results showed that Mangifera indica significantly reduced sperm concentration and sperm motility, with p-values of p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively. Anacardium occidentale leaves extracts significantly (p < 0.01) reduced sperm motility, with both extracts exerting varying effects on sperm morphology. Findings from this study revealed that Mangifera indica and Anacardium occidentale leaf extracts not only reduced sperm concentration and motility but also induced morphological abnormalities in spermatozoa (Head, neck, and tail sperm defects) when compared to the normal control sperm. This indicates that the studied leaves exhibit spermicidal effects, highlighting their potential use as natural agents for male fertility control.