ABSTRACT
Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans.), belonging to the family Myristicaceae, is a spice seed from the fruit of a tropical evergreen tree. It possesses multiple medicinal applications, being used to treat stomach ulcers, indigestion, liver disorders, and as emmenagogue, nervine, diuretic, diaphoretic, and aphrodisiac. This research describes the botanical aspects, medicinal uses, and applications of nutmeg essential oil and explores its potential role in food science. In this study, the animal were sub divided into three groups designated as A, B and C with each group containing 6 rats. Group A was used as control group while groups B and C were used as treatment groups. Rats in group A were given only feed and water while rats in group B were further divided into B(i) and B(ii). Group B(i) were administered 500mg/kg body weight of nutmeg for 4 weeks before sacrifice while group B (ii) were administered 500mg/kg body weight of nutmeg for 8 weeks before sacrifice. Rats in group C were also subdivided into group C(i) and group C(ii). Group C(i) were administered 1500mg/kg body weight of nutmeg for 4 weeks before sacrifice while group C(ii) were administered 1500mg/kg body weight of nutmeg for 8 weeks before sacrifice.
After the due time of administration the rats were sacrificed and sperm was collected from the vas deferens for sperm analysis, also the testis and epididymis were collected from the rats and fixed in formalin immediately, then they were taken to the lab for tissue processing and then viewed under the microscope to check the effect of nutmeg on these organs. This study suggest that nutmeg have an aphrodisiac effect on male reproduction
KEYWORD: Nutmeg, Wistar rat, Epididymis, Testis
