Effects of Hot Aqueous Extract of Telfairia occidentalis Leaves (Ugu) on Testosterone Levels in Adult Male Wistar Rats (Rattus novergicus)

Testosterone influences various aspects of reproductive health and overall well-being. Herbal extracts are reputed for their potential effects on testosterone levels. This study investigated the testosterone-modulating potentials of hot aqueous extracts of Telfairia occidentalis (Ugu), in adult male Wistar rats. Ten adult male Wistar rats weighing between 100-150g were assigned to two groups (control and Telfairia occidentalis group) numbering 5 rats per group. Each group received daily oral administration of 100 mg/Kg of hot aqueous extracts based on their treatment assignment for two weeks. The rats were sacrificed; blood and testes were collected after the trial for testosterone and histological analyses. t-Test was used to compare the levels of testosterone in both groups (control and ugu treated) with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. The results showed that there was no significant difference (p=0.19) in testosterone levels between the control group (0.85 ng/ml) and the Ugu treated group (1.14 ng/ml). Histologically, Ugu leave extract showed sparse germinal epithelium with sparse spermatogonia and moderate spermatozoa. This study has demonstrated that at 100mg/Kg hot aqueous extract of Ugu leaves had no effect on testosterone levels but rather had declining testicular histology.