Dietary Consumption of Citrullus lanatus can Ameliorate Infertility Potential of Carica papaya Seeds Extract in Male Rats

Aim: This study examined dietary consumption of Citrullus lanatus as an ameliorative agent against infertility potential of seeds extract of Carica papaya in male wistar rats.

Study Design: Eighteen adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into three groups of six (n=6): A, B, and C. Group A served as the control group while the other groups served as the treated groups.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in the Animal Holdings of the Department of Anatomy, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, between July, 2014 and October, 2014.

Methodology: The Group A animals were given feed and water liberally throughout the study. Group B received 150 mgkg/bwt/d of Carica papaya extract intraperitoneally for 8 weeks, Group C received 150 mgkg/bwt/d of Carica papaya extract intraperitoneally plus Citrullus lanatus orally for 8 weeks. The rats were sacrificed at the end of administration, Testosterone, FSH and LH levels were assayed. Also, semen analysis was carried out to ascertain the level of other parameters.

Results: Generally there was significant reduction in the level of Testosterone, FSH and LH in Group B when compared with the Control and Group C. Also, there was significant reduction in the level of sperm count, motility, concentration and morphology in Group B when compared with the Control and Group C. However, there was no significant difference when almost all these parameters were directly compared between Control and Group C.

Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that dietary consumption of Citrullus lanatus can ameliorate infertility potential of Carica papaya seeds extract in adult male Wistar rats.