The effect of aqueous seed extract of Moringa oleifera on sperm count, sperm motility and morphology was studied in male albino wistar rats. Fifteen (15) male albino wistar rats weighing between 160 – 200g at start of experiment were used. The rats were divided into 3 groups of five (5) rats each. Group one was control and was given distilled water, group two was the low dose group (LD) and was given 300mg/kg body weight of M. oleifera seed extract and group three; the high dose group (HD) was given 600mg/kg body weight of the extract. The extract was administered per oral route and all the animals were allowed free access to food and water. The feeding lasted for four weeks. At the end of the feeding period, the animals were sacrificed and the epididymis was harvested for determination of sperm count, motility and morphology. Results obtained showed that sperm count was 162.80 ± 8.89, 129.40 ± 6.69 and 192.60 ± 7.65 (x106 cells/mm3), for control, HD and LD group, respectively. The sperm count in HD group was significantly higher (P<0.05) than control and low dose group (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in motility and morphology among the control, low dose and high dose groups. In conclusion, this evaluation provides evidence that aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera may increase sperm count at high dose and may not improve the percentage of normal sperm cells. Therefore, chronic consumption of M. oleifera may not improve fertility in males.
