American Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology2150-42102150-4253Academic Journals Inc.10.3923/ajbmb.2013.314.321SaaluL.C. AkunnaG.G. AjayiJ.O. 3201333The characteristic bitter taste of Vernonia amygdalina has been attributed
to its anti-nutritional contents such as alkaloids, saponins, tannins and glycosides.
Recently the spermiographic effect of the plant in male rats has been reported.
The present study examined the effect of bitter leaf extract on 30 days oral
administration of 50, 100, 200 mg kg-1 and 60 days oral administration
of 200 mg kg-1 b.wt. of the extract on some fertility indices in
male wistar rats. At 30 days administration, the extract produced a significant
and dose dependent increase (p<0.05) in sperm concentration, percentage motility,
morphology and percentage live sperm. There was a decrease in the blood level
of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) but no significant increase in the levels
of Leutinizing Hormone (LH) and Testosterone. Administrations of bitter leaf
extract at higher dosage (200 mg kg-1 b.wt.) and duration provoked
varying degrees of testicular degeneration ranging from a significant reduction
in sperm concentration, motility, percentage normal morphology, percentage number
of live sperm to a significant increase in the number of percentage abnormal
sperm. Evidences suggest that higher dosage of bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina)
extract administered for a longer duration could be deleterious to the testes.]]>Adaramoye, O., O. Akintayo, J. Achem and M.A. Fafunsoo,2009Vernonia amygdalina leaves in rats fed on high cholesterol diet.]]>1011191119Adaramoye, O.A., O. Akintayo, J. Achem and M.A. Fafunso,2008Vernonia amygdalina leaves in rats fed on high cholesterol diet.]]>4235241Adaramoye, O., B. Ogungbenro, O. Anyaegbu and M. Fafunso,2008Vernonia amygdalina, Hibiscus sabdariffa and vitamin C against radiation-induced liver damage in rats.]]>49123131Adaramoye, O.A., J. Achem, O.O. Akintayo and M.A. Fafunso,2007Vernonia amygdalina, a tropical vegetable in rats fed on high cholesterol diet.]]>1467467Akunna, G.G., L.C. Saalu, B. Ogunlade, A.O. Ojewale and L.A. Enye,20131123142Alawa, C.B.I., J.O. Gefu, N.P. Chiezey, P.A. Abdu, S.O. Magaji, L.O. Eduvie and I.A. Adeyinka,2000Vernonia amygdalina for Anthelmintic Properties.]]>2000pp: 4955Alawa, J.P., G.E. Jokthan and K. Akut,2002547990WMA and APS,2002283R281R283CCAC.,1985Vol. 23,pp: 45-47pp: 45-47Dua, A.A. and S.R. Vaidya,1996429396Egbunike, G.N., W. Branscheid, J. Pfisterer and W. Holtz,198618108113Ho, C.T.,1994Igile, G.O., W. Oleszek, M. Jurzysta, S. Burda, M. Fanfunso and A.A. Fasanmada,1994Vernonia amygdalina and their antioxidant properties.]]>4224452448Igile, G., W. Olenszek, M. Jurzysta, R. Aquino, N. de Tommasi and C. Pizza,1995Vernonia amygdalina.]]>5814381443Igile, G.O., W. Olesezk, S. Burda and M. Jurzysta,1995Vernonia amygdalina leaves in growing mice.]]>4321622166Iwalewa, E.O., C.O. Adewunmi, N.O. Omisore, O.A. Adebanji and C.K. Azike et al.,20058539544Izevbigie, E.B.,2003228293298Izevbigie, E.B., J.L. Bryant and A. Walker,2004229163169Izevbigie, E.B., M. Opata and J.L. Bryant,2005Vernonia amygdalina leaf extracts.]]>13530373060Jisaka, M., H. Ohigashi, T. Takagaki, H. Nozaki and T. Tada et al.,19921, A2 and A3 and related B1 from a possible medicinal plant, Vernonia amygdalina, used by wild chimpanzees.]]>48625632Jisaka, M., H. Ohigashi, K. Takegawa, M. Hirota, R. Irie, M.A. Huffman and K. Koshimįzu,1993Vernonia amygdalina, a possible chimpanzee medicinal plant.]]>34409413Jisaka, M., H. Ohigashi, K. Takegawa, M.A. Huffman and K. Koshimizu,1993Vernonia amygdalina, a possible medical used by wild chimpanzees.]]>57833834Longe, O.G., G.O. Farinu and B.L. Fetuga,1983Telfairia occidentalis).]]>31989992De Madureira, M.D.C., A.P. Martins, M. Gomes, J. Paiva, AP. da Cunha and V. do Rosario,2002812329Masaba, S.C.,2000Vernonia amygdalina Del (Compositae).]]>94694695Ogbulie, J.N., C.C. Ogueke and F.C. Nwanebu,2007Uvaria chamae, Congronema latifolium, Garcinia kola, Vernonia amygdalina and Aframomium melegueta.]]>615491553Osinubi, A.A.,2007Vernonia amygdalina and chlorpropamide on blood glucose.]]>16115119Oyeyemi, M.O., O.O. Leigh, O.O. Ajala, A.O. Badejo and B.O. Emikpe,2008Telfairia occidentalis leaves on the testis and spermatozoa characteristics in male Albino rat.]]>52102105Oyeyemi, M.O., O. Oluwatoyitr, O.O. Ajala Leigh and T.F. Adesiji,2008Venonia amygdalina.]]>298101Prasad, M.R.N. and M. Rajalakshmi,19891989pp: 883pp: 883Saalu, L.C., T. Kpela, A.S. Benebo, A.O. Oyewopo, E.O. Anifowope and J.A. Oguntola,2010Telfairia occidentalis Hook f. leaves extract in rat.]]>32738Saalu, L.C., A.A. Osinubi, A.A. Akinbami, O.E. Yama, A.O. Oyewopo and B.U. Enaibe,2011Moringa oleifera lamarck (drumstick) leaf extract modulates the evidences of hydroxyurea-induced testicular derangement.]]>43245Sonmez, M., G. Turk and A. Yuce,20056320632072Tona, L., R.K. Cimanga, K. Mesia, C.T. Musamba and T. de Bruyne et al.,2004In vitro antiplasmodial activity of extracts and fractions from seven medicinal plants used in the democratic republic of Congo. ]]>932732Vlietinck, J., L. van Hoof, J. Totte, A. Lasure, D.V. Berghe, P.C. Rwangabo and J. Mvukiyumwami,1995463147Yakubu, M.T., M.A. Akanji and A.T. Oladiji,2007Fadogia agestis (Schweinf. Ex.Hiern) stem on some testicular function indices of male rats.]]>115288292Yokoi, K. and Z.K. Mayi,20042907885