Effect of Methanolic Extract of Cyperus esculentus L. (Tigernut)on Luteinizing Hormone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Testosterone, Sperm Count and Motility in Male Albino Wistar Rats

Agbai E.O¹. and Nwanegwo C.O².

¹Department of Human Physiology, Madonna University Elele, Rivers State Nigeria.

²Department of Human Physiology, College of Medicine, Imo State University, Owerri Nigeria.

E-mail: vivy4okey@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The effect of methanolic extract of Cyperus esculentus L. on follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone and some sperm parameters in twenty four  adult albino male wistar rats. After six weeks administration of extract of Cyperus esculentus L., results showed statistically significant difference in LH levels at P < 0.05 between Group A (4.80 ± 1.04) compared with experimental Group B (5.70 ± 0.46), Group C (5.48 ± 0.27) and Group D (5.45 ± 0.37). FSH levels showed statistically significant difference at P < 0.05 between Group A (11.55 ± 0.46) compared Group D (15.20 ± 1.33). There was no statistically significant difference at P > 0.05 between Group A (11.55 ± 0.46) compared with Group B (11.30 ± 1.93) and Group C (11.08 ± 0.78). Testosterone levels showed statistically significant differences at P < 0.05 between Group A (3.30 ± 0.30) compared to Group B (3.75 ± 0.47), Group C (4.23 ± 0.34) and Group D (3.63 ± 0.63). The sperm count levels showed statistically significant differences at P < 0.05 between Group A (168.0 ± 4.54) compared to Group B (182 ± 4.94), Group C (174.25 ± 6.86) and Group D (176.0 ± 6.09). There was statistically significant difference at P < 0.05 between Group A (71.50 ± 1.55) compared to Group B (74.25 ± 1.54) and (76.25 ± 2.59). However, there was no statistically significant difference at P > 0.05 between Group A (71.50 ± 1.55) compared with Group C (68.50 ± 3.75). Results showed that methanolic extract of Cyperus esculentus significantly increased gonadotropins, testosterone and sperm parameters in a dose-dependent fashion.