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ABSTRACT
Objective: In this study aimed at evaluating the effect of the aqeuous extract of Abelmoschus esculentus (okro) fruit using adult male wistar rats. Methods: 20 adult male rats weighing 154g to 228g were weighed and divided into four groups of five rats each. Group A served as the control and were given water and normal feed while groups B, C, and D served as the test groups and were orally administered with (125, 250, and 500)mg/kg of okro extract respectively after two weeks of acclimatization. Following six weeks of extract administration, the rats were reweighed and sacrificed. Semen was collected from their caudal epididymis for sperm analysis and their testes were weighed and processed for histological studies. Results: Results from the test groups showed no statistical difference in testicular weight reduction and an increase in the body weight at the initial stage. Surprisingly there was a significant decrease(p<0.05) in the final stage. There was also a significant (p<0.05)decrease in the total sperm count and sperm motility with a corresponding increase in the number of abnormal sperm cells. The histology of the testes showed spermatogenic arrest in testicular tissues. From the result, we therefore conclude that consistent consumption of okro may be destructive to the testes and as such, could impair male fertility.
