Ereromastax speciosa is a medicinal plant that has been in use by some traditionalists in the region of calabar, cross river state and Akwa Ibom states of Nigeria in the treatment of reproductive issues in women. Claims have been made by the traditionalists on the efficacy of these leaves from the plant in the enhancing fertility in women of reproductive age, also its use in the treatment of internal heat. In this study, the effect of Ereromastax speciosa leaf extract on the serum levels of Lutenizing hormone(LH), Follicle stimulating hormone(FSH), Progesterone and Estradiol in two groups of female pubertal rats was carried out.. 0.6mls of normal saline was administered to the female rats in group 1 which served as the control, while 0.6mls of the ethanolic extract of E. Speciosa was administered to female rats in group 2 by orogastric intubation for an experimental period of twenty one days. At the end of the experimental period, the serum of the sacrificed animals treated with extracts of E. speciosa and the controls were assayed for hormonal concentrations of LH,FSH, progesterone and estradiol. The results showed no significant difference in the serum levels of LH, FSH , Progesterone and Estradiol between the experimental groups and the control at P<0.05. This results suggests however that there is no toxic effect in the use of this herb on the female hormonal system, as well as its safety as a drug in the management of female infertility.
