Abstract

Haemograms, semen characteristics and sperm morphology of the male albino rat (wistar strain) treated with Aloe vera gel was studied. A. vera gel has been widely used for both medicinal and non-medicinal purposes. Fifteen male clinically healthy albino rats weighing between 0.15 to 0.24 kg and 16 to 20 weeks of age were randomly assigned to three groups A, B and C. Groups A and B were the experimental groups while Group C was the control group. The experimental groups A and B were treated with A. vera gel at 300 and 200 mg/kg body weight, respectively for 10 days. The findings showed that the sperm motility from group A (64.00 ± 6.80) and B (66.00 ± 8.74) were lower (P < 0.05) than group C (89 ± 2.46). The percentage liveability of the sperm cells of group A (88.00 ± 6.74) and B (85.00 ± 4.48) were also lower (P < 0.05) than the control, 96.8 ± 0.74. The sperm concentration in the experimental group A (53.2 ± 2.27) and B (59.4 ± 2.43) were also lower (P < 0.05) than the control group 84.6 ± 2.14. The blood parameters across the groups were within the normal range of values in rats, and there was no significant difference (P>0.05). It was concluded that the use of A. vera gel for 10 days consecutively has an adverse effect on sperm cells characteristics and morphology, and can precipitate infertility in the male wistar strain albino rats when administered at concentration higher than 300 mg/kg body weight. However, it has no negative effect on the blood parameters.

Key words: Aloe vera gel, albino rats, semen characteristics, sperm morphology, haematology.