Effects of Crude Aqueous Extract of Cola Acuminata Pods on the Reproductive System of Male Albino Rats

Background and Aims: Cola acuminata pod extract (CAPE) is used in Nigerian traditional medicine to treat low sperm count in males. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the effects of CAPE on the reproductive system of male albino rats. Materials and Methods: Preliminary acute toxicity testing, phytochemical screening, proximate analysis, and determination of vitamin E concentration were performed on the extract. Three groups (I, II, and III) of 12 rats were used in the study. Each group comprised three batches (A, B, and C) of 4 rats each for different periods (4, 6, and 8 weeks, respectively). Results: Acute toxicity testing showed that CAPE had an oral lethal dose of 50% (LD50) of >5 g/kg body weight (b.wt) in rats. Vitamin E concentration was 0.511 mg/l. The caudal epididymal sperm count increased marginally from 4 to 6 weeks for rats treated with 800 mg/kg b.wt., but reduced significantly at 8 weeks for both CAPE treatment groups (II and III) (p<0.05) compared with the control group (I). Significant reduction (p<0.05) of sperm motility and serum testosterone levels at 8 weeks were observed. The histology of the reproductive organs revealed evident histo-architectural changes. Conclusions: These results suggest that the aqueous pod extract of Cola acuminata causes marked alterations in reproductive organs and shows antispermatogenic and antiandrogenic effects when administered orally over 8 weeks in mature male rats leading to contradicting its use as a traditional remedy for low sperm count in males.