The effect of oral administration of aqueous extract of Newbouldia laevis leaves on fertility hormones of male albino rats

The continuous use of plants in folklore for reproductive health has prompted the need to search for plants with fertility enhancement or anti-fertility potentials. Hence, the effect of oral administration of aqueous extract of Newbouldia laevis leaves for twenty one (21) days on reproductive hormones of albino male rats was investigated. Twelve male albino rats were grouped into three (A, B and C) of four (4) each. Group C (the control) received orally distilled water on daily basis for 21days. Groups A and B were treated like the control except that they received 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively. After administration of the extract for twenty one days, the results of serum concentrations of testosterone, follicle stimulating and luteinizing hormones showed no significant (p<0.05) differences in groups A and B when compared to the control. The result reveals that Newbouldia laevis extract could act as an adjunct that can inhibit or promote hormonal imbalances in males at certain dosages as exemplified in the experimental animal models.