Manihot esculenta (M. esculenta) is widely used in traditional medicine and is known for its pharmacological properties. This study evaluated the effects of ethanolic leaf extracts of M. esculenta on biochemical markers of fertility, testicular histology, and epididymal sperm count in male Wistar rats. Ethanolic extraction and phytochemical screening were performed on powdered M. esculenta leaves using standard methods. Two groups of twenty adult male Wistar rats were included in the study. The control group received distilled water, while the treated group received ethanolic leaf extract of M. esculenta (200 mg/kg body weight) for 6 and 12 weeks. Body and testicular weights were recorded, and blood samples were collected to measure biochemical fertility markers. Testis and epididymis histology were analyzed, and sperm count was assessed. Phytochemical screening detected alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and saponins, which affect male fertility. A significant decrease in serum testosterone was observed in treated rats at 6 weeks (p < 0.005) and 12 weeks (p < 0.0001). Significant increases in glucose (p = 0.015) and LDL-cholesterol (p = 0.001) levels were recorded after 12 weeks of treatment. No significant changes were observed in body or testicular weights (p > 0.05). Epididymal sperm counts significantly decreased after 6 weeks (p < 0.01) and 12 weeks (p < 0.005) of treatment. This reduction is consistent with the histological analyses, which revealed seminiferous tubule damage and disrupted spermatogenesis in treated rats. Ethanolic M. esculenta leaf extracts impair reproduction in male Wistar rats, highlighting potential contraceptive effects.
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