Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum and Thonn) Taub Fruit Extract Impairs Reproductive Hormones and Fertility Parameters in Female Experimental Rats

Aim: The increasing rate of infertility in humans has necessitated the need to assess commonly used medicinal plants to ascertain their effects on reproductive functions. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of tetrapleura tetraptera fruit extract on reproductive hormones and fertility in females.

Methods: A total of seventy two (72) adult female wistar rats weighing 160-180 g were randomly assigned into four groups of 18 animals each. Group1 (control) was administered distilled water, groups II, III and lV were daily treated with the extract at doses of 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg body weight, respectively, orally for 28 days. Thereafter, 6 rats from each group were sacrificed during oestrous phase and serum used for analyses of reproductive hormones; while remaining 12 females from each group were each cohabited with males (2:1), sacrificed at gestational age16 and fertility parameters were determined.

Results: The results show that in the test groups, there was significant (P < 0.05 ) reduction in the levels of FSH, LH and Estrogen, with a significant (P < 0.05 ) increase in progesterone, when compared with the control. Also, the number of pregnant female rats, number of foetuses, and fertility index significantly (P < 0.05 ) increased in the test animals, compared with the control.

Conclusion: We concluded that Tetrapleura. tetraptera fruit extract impairs reproductive hormones and fertility parameters in female rats, and therefore should be consumed with caution.