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ABSTRACT
Allium sativum (garlic) is widely used all over the world for the prevention and treatment of some human diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. However, the impact of garlic on the male reproductive system in apparently healthy subjects has not been clearly defined. The study was aimed at evaluating the semen characteristic of male Wistar rats fed aqueous garlic extract. Twenty (20) adult male wistar rats were assigned into four groups using completely randomized design with five rats in each group (n=5). Group 1 served as the control group and was given feed and water only, group 2 served as the low dose group and was given 500mg/kg body weight (bw) of Allium sativum extract, group 3 served as the moderate dose group and was given 750mg/kg bw of Allium sativum extract and group 4 served as the high dose group and received 1000mg/kg bw of Allium sativum extract. All groups were given feed and water ad libitum. The experiment lasted for 30 days after which the animals were sacrificed, the testis and epididymis were collected for analysis. The epididymis was homogenized in buffer, diluted and analyzed microscopically. The data generated were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results from this study showed that administration of high concentrations of garlic caused teratozoospermia (increase in concentrations of abnormal sperm cells) characterized by poorly formed head, tailless sperm cells, bent neck and bent body with premature sperm cells. Histological findings also show mild distortions in the shape of seminiferous tubules, congestions in interstitial blood vessels (suggestive of inflammation), slight reductions in size and mild thickened outlines of seminiferous tubules. Sperm progressive motility was significantly higher in high dose group while no significant difference was observed in sperm count, morphology, viability and pH. The consumption of high concentrations of Allium sativum may lead to adverse consequences such as teratozoospermia and inflammation of the interstitial blood vessels in Wistar rats. Therefore, raw garlic should be consumed with caution as high concentration may be deleterious to male reproductive health.
