Effects of Mondia Whitei ‘Mukombero’ on Sperm Parameters in Male Albino Rat

Abstract

Infertility affects about 8 to 12% of the world’s population and, in about half of cases, men are either the single cause or contribute to the couple’s infertility. Many indigenous plants have been reported to be effective in male fertility regulation. Mondia whitei is a widely used medicinal plant across Africa for treatment of sexual dysfunction yet minimal empirical data exists to support its therapeutic value. The difference was statistically significant (chi=8.286, p=0.040). Though trend analysis indicated that it did not vary significantly within the groups (all p>0.05). Normal morphology percentage declined in different test groups as compared to the control groups. A statistically significant decline in normal morphology was observed within the groups with respect to time interval (p=0.027). Trend analysis indicated that within the groups, normal morphology decreased significantly with time (all p<0.05) while abnormal head morphology and tail increased with time p=0.05. This study concludes that Mondia whitei may alter male fertility by affecting sperm quality; it causes a decline in sperm count, morphology, motility and vitality. This shows that M. whitei might be cytotoxic and can result in hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia.