Memudu AE, Akinrinade ID, Ogundele OM, and Duru F
The objective is to investigate the effects of the long and short term treatment of ginger ( zingiber officinale) on male reproductive function of adult Sparague Dawley rats and study the mechanisms underlying these effects. 30 adult male Sparague - Dawley rats weighing between 120g -150g were used. They were divided into 3 groups. The control group and treated group. The treated groups received 200mg/kg of extracts for 4 and 8 weeks res pectively. Extract was given via gastric intubation . The controls as well as treated animals were allowe d free access to pelleted feed and water ad libitum. The animals were sacrificed. Testicular weight was taken and caudal epididymis excised for semen and biochemical analysis. There was a signifi cant increase in the body as well as testicular weights in the treated animals as compared to the c ontrol (P<0.05). There was also a duration dependent increase in serum testosterone level as w ell as sperm count and motility (P<0.05). There was also a significance increase in testicular weig ht. Semen analysis appears normal; no oligospermic or azoospermic condition detected. Sper m morphology is normal no teratozoospermic sperm found. The aqueous extract of Zingiber officinale at dose of 200mg/kg for 4 weeks and 8 weeks respectively had a positive impact on testosterone level. These results stipulate that extract of gin ger ( Zingibier Officinale) has fertility properties; because it stimulates se cretion from the testes (and other male accessory sex organs) that influences semen qu ality. It also has potent antioxidant properties. Hence this study reveals no deleterious effects of aqueous extraction of dry fruits of Zingiber officinale on male reproductive indices, so if any deleterious effect should eminent then it could be dose – dependent or duration dependent.
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