Consumption of Coconut Oil (Cocos Nucifera ) on Sperm Parameters of Adult Albino Wistar Rats

Abstract

This study was aimed at assessing the possible effects coconut oil could have on the sperm parameters of albino rats. Twenty adult male Wistar rats randomly divided into four (4) groups of five rats each were investigated. The control group received normal saline and experimental groups; Low Dose (LD), Moderate Dose (MD) and High Dose (HD) received coconut oil extract of 0.5ml/kg b.w, 1.1ml/kg b.w and 2.2ml/kg b.w respectively for fourteen days via orogastric tube. On day 14 of the experiment, the rats were euthanized under chloroform vapour and sacrificed and testes excised. There was an insignificant decrease (p<0.05) in mean testicular weight of the treated rats; LD (1.14±0.05), MD (1.16±0.05) and HD (1.12±0.06) groups compared to the control rats (1.20±0.04). Sperm count was increased significantly (p<0.05) in the animals administered with coconut oil; LD (39.72±0.28x10⁶/ml), MD (46.76±1.46x10⁶/ml), HD (68.18±0.39x10⁶/ml) in comparison with animals in the control group (35.28±0.34x10⁶/ml). Sperm motility increased significantly (p<0.05) in animals of the HD group (55.00±1.58%) compared to what was observed in rats found in LD (37.60±0.81%) and MD groups (45.00±0.84%). The HD group recorded (85.00±0.71%) sperm viability, a significant increase (p<0.05) compared to that of the control group (75.60±0.93%). Sperms with normal morphology were significantly increased (p<0.05) in LD (75.60±0.68%), MD (76.00±1.87%) and HD (87.20±0.86%) compared to the control group (69.00±1.22%). Coconut oil has no deleterious effect on the sperm parameters and can lead to enhanced spermatogenesis.

Keywords: Cocos nucifera, sperm parameters, coconut oil

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-14-06

Publication date:July 31^st 2019