EMEKA IJEOMA BLESSING

Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) is an herbaceous plant from the Fragaria genus. It is a well-known plant with a widely enjoyed fruit. Strawberry, like other common fruits, contains antioxidants such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C), folic acid, and essential oils It is also high in minerals like iodine, magnesium, copper, iron, and phosphorus, as well as vitamins like thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin K, vitamin A, and vitamin E. Hormones have critical role in fertility management and regulation. Endocrine glands produce hormones and release them to target organs in response to stimulation via negative or positive feedback mechanisms. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of Fragaria ananassa (strawberry fruit) extract on male reproductive function by analyzing the male hormones in adult male wistar rat. A total of twenty (20) adult male wistar rats were used for this study. The rats were divided into four (4) experimental groups (A-D) with five (n=5) rats in each group. The rats were acclimatized for two weeks before commencement of administration. Group A was the control group. Group B, C and D were administered 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg body weight of fragaria ananassa extract orally via gavage respectively. The rats were anesthetized using chloroform vapor and were terminally bled by cardiac puncture. The blood samples were collected using a heparinized tube for hormonal assay. Testosterone was determined by competitive enzyme immunoassay (TYPE 7) and Luteinizing hormone was determined by Immunoenzymometric assay (TYPE 3). The result were statistically analyzed using Graph-Pad prism version 8.0. Comparison within groups were done using one-way ANOVA. The result were presented as mean ±SEM and p-value less than 0.05(P < 0.05) was considered statistically significant. The result showed non-significant difference in the hormones (Testosterone and Luteinizing hormone) in group B, C and D when compared to the control group (Group A). In conclusion aqueous extract of Fragaria ananassa (strawberry fruit) does not have significant effect on the reproductive hormones (Testosterone and Luteinizing hormone) in adult male wistar rats.