Evaluation of antispermatogenic effect of Garcinia kola seed extract in Albino rats

ObjectiveTo determine the effects of aqueous extract of Garcinia kola (G. kola) seed on serum sex hormones and epididymal functions of Wistar albino rats.MethodsFifteen male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned into three groups of five rats per group. The animals in the treatment groups were administered orally aqueous extract of Garcinia kola seed at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight once daily for 30 days. Rats in the control group received normal saline (0.9%). The body weights of the rats were determined at the beginning and end of the experiment. Sperm characteristics of each rat were determined. Hormonal assay for FSH, LH and testosterone were done using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).ResultsThere were significant (P<0.05) decreases in relative organ weights of extract-treated rats compared to the control. G. kola seed extract decreased sperm motility, sperm concentration and sperm viability as well as affected normal morphology of sperm cells in dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the extract reduced the serum concentrations of sex hormones of the treated rats relative to the control.ConclusionThe findings suggest that aqueous extract of G. kola seed may have antispermatogenic property.