Protective Effects of Annona Muricata Leaf Extract on Semen Quality in Male Wistar Rats

The aim of this study is to determine the protective effects of Annona Muricata leaf extract on semen quality in male wistar rats. A total of 78 adult male rats obtained from the laboratory animal production unit of the Department of Physiology, Abia State University, Uturu were used for the different segments of the study. Eighteen of the rats were used for acute toxicity/lethal dose evaluation of the extract while the remaining sixty (60) were used for the testosterone-induced hyperplasia study. Prostate hyperplasia was induced in the rats via daily sub-cutaneous administration of testosterone propionate (5 mg/kg body weight) for 28 days. Sixty rats used for this segment of the study were assigned to 6 groups of 10 rats and treated as follows: Group 1, Normal control, no treatment. Group 2 Testosterone propionate (5 mg/kg) only and was the BPH control. Group 3, Testosterone propionate (5 mg/kg bw) + Finesteride (3 mg/kg body weight).Group 4, Testosterone propionate (5 mg/kg bw) + Annona Muricata Leaf extract (300 mg/kg body weight). Group 5, Testosterone propionate (5 mg/kg bw) + Annona Muricata Leaf extract (600 mg/kg body weight). Group 6, Annona Muricata Leaf extract (600 mg/kg bw) only. At the end of treatment with Annona Muricata Leaf extract, animals were sacrificed and Semen samples were collected from the caudal epidymis of each rat for semen analysis (Sperm mass motility, Sperm cell viability, Sperm concentration and Sperm morphology) was evaluated macroscopically. Data obtained were subjected to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, Version 20.0, IBM SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL) was used for data analysis. Level of significance was calculated by One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Data were analyzed using Duncan Multiple Range Test and complemented with Student’s t test for post-hoc test for comparisons of the means of the various doses and fractions. P- values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significantly different between the test and control groups as well as among test groups for measured value. Conclusively, treatment with Annona muricata extract showed enhancement of sperm quality.