Effect of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Azadirachta Indica (Neem) on the Reproductive Hormones of Male Albino Wistar Rats

Azadirachta indica (AI), is a popular medicinal plant originally grown in India, but is now cultivated in almost every part of the world including Nigeria where it is popularly called "Dogonyaro". The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Azadirachta indica (Neem) on the reproductive hormones of male albino wistar rats. Twenty (20) male albino wistar rats weighing between (150-200) grams were used. They were randomly allocated to 4 groups with 5 animals in each group. Rats in group A (control) were administered 5ml of normal saline daily. Rats in group B, C and D received 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg of aqueous Neem leaf extract in 5ml of normal saline respectively. The duration of the experiment was 15 days. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed using chloroform anaesthesia. Blood was collected through cardiac puncture, centrifuged and then assayed for serum testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and interstitial cell stimulating hormone (ICSH) analysis. There was a significant decrease in FSH in group C and group D respectively compared with the group A (control) (P<0.05) but there was no significant difference observed in group B compared with the control (P<0.05). Also, ICSH showed a significant decrease in group C and group D respectively compared with the group A (P<0.05). There was no significant difference observed in group B compared with the control (P<0.05). Serum testosterone showed a significant decrease in group B, group C and group D respectively compared with the group A (control) (P<0.05). These observations suggest that aqueous leaf extract of Azadirachta indica (Neem) is capable of reducing the serum level of testosterone, FSH and ICSH of male albino wistar rats and may increase the risk of infertility if used indiscriminately for malaria treatment.