Reproductive Impairment Associated With The Ethanolic Extract Of Alstonia Boonei (De-Wild) Stem Bark In Male Rats

The aqueous ethanolic extract of Alstonia boonei stem bark was studied on the reproductive characteristics of 60 male albino rats for 2 and 4 weeks. The rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups of 10 animal each for the 2 weeks segment: group 1 received 1ml/kg normal saline, group II and III got 50 and 200mg/kg of the extracts respectively. For the 4 weeks segment, group IV received 0.5ml/kg normal saline, while groups V and VI got 50 and 200mg/kg of the extract respectively. At the end of the 2 weeks 50mg/kg extract significantly decreased the sperm count, motility, viability and adversely charged the morphology of the sperm. These results were replicated dose and time dependently in the 200mg/kg by the 4th week. However no significant changes on the blood level of testosetorone and body weight were observed. It is concluded from this study that the extract may have toxic potentials on reproductive function without the involvement of plasma testosterone. Thus the dose and duration of application of the extract in folk medicine should be regulated to forestall possible reproductive impairment. The active constituent associated with this effect and the mechanism of action are subjects to further investigation.