Methanol root extract of Pausinystalia yohimbe, an aphrodisiac influences Morphology of sperm cells in male Wistar Rats

Abstract

T The production and classification of sperm shape abnormalities in laboratory animals through administration of chemical agents, be it natural or synthetic, has in recent years developed into a very reliable, species and drug specific method of assay for testing the mutagenicity of phytotherapeutic agent. In this research, observed numbers, percentage and types of dysmorphisms induced by the oral administration of Pausinystalia yohimbe methanol root extract in varying doses in male wistar rats were investigated. Forty five rats were randomly divided into five groups of nine rats each. Rats in group I (control) were administered 1 mL/kg distilled water, group II received 5 mg/kg body weight sildenafil citrate, while those in groups III, IV, and V were given 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively for 14 days after which they were sacrificed and sperm cells were analysed for possible morphological abnormalities. In this study, oral administration of the extract has significant (p < 0.05) effect on the morphology of sperm cells, with sperm normalities decreases, while abnormalities increases when compared with the control groups. However, the abnormalities decreased dose dependently with slightly increase in normalities. The abnormal morphology ranged from double heads, tailless sperm, headless sperm, double tails, short sperm and bent tail in both extract and sildenafil citrate administered animals. The tailless sperm morphological changes had the highest rate of occurrence. The observation confirmed that mutagenicity of chemical agents, be it natural or synthetic, could be tested and compared using the sperm head-shape abnormality assay method, thereby predicting simple to complex dysmorphisms.

Aqueous root extract of Psidium guajava exhibits dependent effects on aphrodisiac indices, reproductive hormones and spermatogenesis of male Wistar rats

“…It also reflects enhanced performance, motivation and vigour. These findings agree with earlier reports by Ratnasooriya and Dharmasiri [35]; Yakubu and Afolayan, [36]; Yakubu and Akanji [4]; Gbankoto et al [37]; Ojatula et al [38]; Ojatula et al [39] on the significant changes in ML and IL. Also, the prolonged ejaculatory latency (EL) by the aqueous extract of P. guajava is a strong indication that the sexual function of the male rats was enhanced (prolonged duration of coitus) suggesting an aphrodisiac activity.…”

Effect of methanol root extract of <i>Pausinystalia yohimbe</i> on epididymal sperm cells of Wistar albino rats

“…Sequel to numerous phytopharmacological applications of P. yohimbe in reproductive medicine; as contained in the previous works of Amann (1989) and Ojatula (2022). Hence, the need to investigate the effect on the cyto-architecture of reproductive visceral organs, such as the epididymis, as applicable in this study, by giving credence to existing literature and offering future hope on yohimbe as a potent spermatogenic agent.…”

“…The epididymis, testis, and other sex organs comprise the male reproductive system. During reproductive processes, their primary function is to generate spermatozoa capable of fertilizing an ovum (Ojatula and Enoyoze, 2023), in addition to providing a habitat for spermatozoa growth and maturation (Obianime et al, 2010). Compounds that change the shape and function of the epididymis may have a significant impact on the quality and quantity of spermatozoa (Obianime et al, 2010).…”

“…The epididymal epithelium's functions, which include absorption, secretion, synthesis, and metabolism, contribute to the development of a suitable luminal environment for spermatozoa motility and fertilizing ability (Turner, 1991). Hinton (1990) and Hedger (2015) previously demonstrated that spermatozoa acquire their fertilizing ability and forward motility during epididymal transit; and that sperm maturation implies the changes that the transiting male gamete undergoes (Ojatula, 2022;Ojatula and Nwanja, 2023;Ojatula and Enoyoze, 2023). As a result, the structural and functional integrity of sperm is critical for fertilization and the quality of progeny (Cooper and Yeung, 2006).…”

“…Pausinystalia yohimbe is a well-known aphrodisiac with both sex-enhancing and fertilityenhancing properties (Ojatula, 2020;Ojatula et al, 2020;Ojatula, 2022). The ethno-medicinal plant is found in nearly every tropical country and region of the world, particularly Nigeria as contained in the ethno-medicinal report of Erhabor et al (2015).…”