Antifertility Effect of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Carica papaya in Male Wistar Rats

The use of Carica papaya leaves in folklore medicine for its antimalarial and
antidiabetic activities without reference to its adverse effect is on the
increase globally. This study therefore sought to investigate the antifertility
effect of C. papaya leaves in male Wistar rats. Fresh and healthy leaves of C.
papaya disease were harvested from the Institute of Agricultural Research
and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan. They were dried and extracted using
soxhlet apparatus and ethanol as the solvent. Toxicity test was carried out
using standard method. Thirty male Wistar rats were grouped into six of five
rats each. Animals in groups A, B and C were administered normal saline for
10, 20 and 30 days respectively via oral route. Those in groups D, E and F
were similarly treated but with 500 mg/kg body weight of leaf extract of C.
papaya. At the end of treatment, the animals were sacrificed by cervical
dislocation. The internal organs were exposed. Testes and cauda epididymis
were removed and kept in sterilized glass. Male fertility parameters were
determined using standard methods. Ethanolic leaf extract of C. papaya
causes decreased sperm count, sperm motility and seminal pH while sperm
mortality and abnormality of spermatozoa increased significantly (p