IJAR.2018.245
Type of Article: Original Research
Volume 6; Issue 3.2 (August 2018)
Page No.: 5481-5487
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar.2018.245
THE EFFECT OF ZINGIBER OFFICINALE (GINGER) ROOT ETHANOLIC EXTRACT ON THE SEMEN CHARACTERISTICS OF ADULT MALE WISTAR RATS
Yaw Otchere Donkor 1, Chrissie Stansie Abaidoo *2, JoshuaTetteh 2, Nancy Darkoa Darko 2, Obed Ohene-Djan Atuahene 2, Atta Kusi Appiah 2, Thomas Diby 2, Raymond Saa Eru Maalman 1.
1 Department of Anatomy School of Medicine, University of Health and Allied Science, Ho, Ghana.
*2 Department of Anatomy School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Address for Correspondence: Professor Chrissie Stansie Abaidoo (PhD), Department of Anatomy School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, Tel: +233 208 126 817, Fax: +233 322 062 190 E-Mail: knustsmsanat@gmail.com
ABSTRACT:
Background: Ginger has been shown to have a positive effect on the function of the male reproductive organ. Studies have shown that ginger possess antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticholestereolemic, anticancerous, antiemetic, anti-rhinoviral, anti-inflammatory and anti-insecticidal properties. Dietary patterns in Africa especially Ghana are characterized by a high consumption of ginger. However, there is very little information on the effects of ginger on semen characteristics.
Aims: The study was designed to investigate the effects of ginger on the semen parameters of the male rats using quantitative and qualitative methods.
Materials and Methods: Forty-eight male wistar rats were divided into four groups designated as control, A, B and C and administered daily by gavage with 1 ml distilled water, 100 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of ethanolic ginger extract respectively for 30 days.
Results and Discussion: The present study showed that there was a numerical increase in sperm count, sperm morphology, sperm viability and sperm motility in the extract-treated rats in a dose dependent manner which was statistically significant (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: We concluded that ginger extract may be potentially useful in the management of male infertility especially those with low sperm count.
KEY WORDS: Ginger, Semen, Sperm count, Rats, Infertility.
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