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Abstract
Ocimum gratissimum (scent leaf) is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine, with certain ethnobotanical claims stating it promotes male virility. However, available scientific research shows mixed findings about its implications on male reproductive health, with some research revealing testicular injury and hormonal imbalance. Ocimum gratissimum is traditionally used to promote male vitality, although research information on its reproductive safety is inconsistent. This study studied the effects of a 500 mg/kg aqueous leaf extract of O. gratissimum on fertility hormones and testicular function in adult male Wistar rats for 28 days. Serum Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and testosterone were evaluated, with sperm count, motility, and morphology. The findings showed that while testosterone levels were normal, the extract caused a condition of compensated primary testicular dysfunction, as shown by significantly raised blood LH and FSH (p<0.05). A considerable decrease in the overall number of sperm was linked to this hormonal imbalance, suggesting compromised spermatogenesis. Ironically, by boosting motility and lowering the proportion of morphological defects, the extract also markedly enhanced sperm quality. These results point to a dualistic, site-specific action: the extract is gonadotoxic in the testes but may have a posttesticular, cytoprotective, antioxidant impact in the epididymis. Since the quantitative decrease in sperm production and hormonal indicators of testicular failure outweigh the qualitative gains, the overall effect at this dosage appears to be harmful to male fertility. These findings call into question the plant's conventional application as a fertility booster and call for care.
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