The study is titled: “Antifertility Effects of Ethanolic Root Bark Extract of Chrysophyllum albidum in Male Albino Rats.

According to the researchers, the present study was conducted to investigate the antifertility activity of the ethanol root bark extract of Chrysophyllum albidum on sperm parameter and hormonal levels in rats.

Eighteen male rats were divided into three groups of six animals each, as each group was administered distilled water that serves as a control, ethanol root bark extract on a daily basis. The caudal epididymal sperm count; motility and sperm morphology were observed compared with the control.

The result showed that ethanol extract of the root bark of C. albidum suppresses the hormonal levels and sperm production in rats, according to the study.

The researchers conclude that the study demonstrated that the root bark of the ethanolic extract of C. albidum produces a pronounced inhibition of serum testosterone and gonadotrophins concentration.

However, these extract had an antifertility effect on the testes of albino Wistar rats and could be further investigated for the possibility of developing a cheap, acceptable and easy available male contraceptive.

The researchers said: “The findings of the present study showed that the ethanolic root bark extract of C. albidum could significantly alter the fertility potential of male rats. The fact that there was a significant increase in body weight

(p<0.05) on treated animals do not rule out the possibility of systemic toxicity at the doses treated due to behavioral alterations observed within the treated groups which showed a progressive decrease in agility.

Furthermore, the significant increase in body weight (p<0.05) indicates that the extract may have a toxic effect on the rats.

The analysis of caudal epididymal fluids of these treated rats revealed a concomitant decrease in the sperm concentration which may be due to the inhibition in spermatogenesis which has been reflected here by the low count.”

The researchers observed that the “present study also reveals a significant decrease in sperm motility, which focuses the direct effect of the extract on matured and stored sperm in the epididymis, also increased abnormal sperm morphology.”

Another study evaluated the effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Chrysophyllum albidum on hormones and sperm analysis of laboratory rats.

The study titled: “Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Chrysophyllum albidum on sperm analysis, hormonal profile, SOD and testicular histology of adult male Wistar rats” was published in the Agriculture And Biology Journal of North America.

The researchers in their findings showed that “C. albidum leave extract reduced serum levels of gonadotrophins probably by affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.

The treatment does not cause suppression of spermatogenesis but decrease the hormonal profile. The researchers from the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Madonna University, River State concluded that the “C. albidum leave extract reduced serum levels of gonadotrophins probably by affecting hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.

The reduced levels of FSH, LH, and T do not have an effect on the testicular spermatogenesis for 21 days.

However, there was an increase in the SOD enzyme activities above the control level thereby improving its antioxidative capacity.” (Agency report)

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