Effect of Tiger Nut Meal on Some Sex Hormones and Sperm Cells in Androgen-induced Benign Prostate Hyperplasia in Adult Male Wistar Rats

Introduction: It is generally believed that Cyperus esculentus (tiger nut) has some fertility boosting effects. However, scientific validation of some of the fertility boosting potentials as well as the ameliorative effect of tiger nut on Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) is lacking.

Objective: The aim of the project is to determine the effect of tiger nuts in reproductive function in rats induced with Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH).

Methods: A total of sixty (60) male rats weighing between 160 – 200 g were used in this study. They were divided into six groups of ten rats per group. Benign prostate hyperplasia was induced in three groups of the rats (as stated in methodology) with 30 mg/kg sub-cutaneous injections of hormones containing dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and estradiol valerate dissolved in olive oil in the ratio of 10:1 (three times in a week, one day interval). Administration of tiger nut meal commenced immediately and lasted for two months. At the end of administration, assay of reproductive hormones (FSH, LH and Testosterone) was done. Comprehensive semen analysis was also done including (count, motility & morphology).

Results: The study showed that the induction of BPH resulted in a very significant reduction of FSH while the administration of the tiger nut meal did not show any significant effect on FSH (P 0.05). The same trend was also observed on the effect of the tiger nut meal on LH level. For testosterone, it was observed that after the initial decrease as a result of the induction of infertility, 20% tiger nut meal administration significantly increased the testosterone level to 2.10±0.06 ng/ml from 0.30±0.01 ng/ml in the infertility-induced group. The effect of tiger nut meal on semen analyses namely, normal sperm cells and sperm motility showed a significant increase (P<0.05) following the induction of infertility. The effect of the tiger nut meal on sperm morphological toxicities were also examined. Sperm abnormalities like sperm cells with twisted tails were examined.

Conclusion: The administration of tiger nut significantly ameliorated the abnormalities and thus, restored the morphology of the sperm cells such that it can enhance fertility.