Abstract

Cochlospermum planchonii has numerous therapeutic benefits and is widely used in folklore medicine of many African countries. This study was designed to investigate the effects of aqueous ethanolic extract of Cochlospermum planchonii root on sperm characteristics of albino rats. Animals were assigned into four groups comprising a control, which received only distilled water and treatment groups at the doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight daily for 30 days, respectively. The aqueous ethanolic extract of C. planchonii did significantly increase (P<0.05) the weights of the testes and accessory sex organs. Sperm count and sperm motility of rats given the extract increased (P<0.05) relative to the control. Percentages of abnormal sperm cells remained unchanged. The results of this study indicate that aqueous ethanolic extract of Cochlospermum planchonii increased spermatogenesis in the male rats.

Key words: Cochlospermum planchonii, sperm characteristics, reproduction, Wistar rats.