The Effect Of Zingiber Officinale (ginger) Root Ethanolic Extract On The Semen Characteristics Of Adult Male Wistar Rats

ABSTRACT

Background: Ginger has been shown to have a positive effect on the function of the male reproductive organ.Studies have shown that ginger possess antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticholestereolemic,anticancerous, antiemetic, anti-rhinoviral, anti-inflammatory and anti-insecticidal properties. Dietary patternsin Africa especially Ghana are characterized by a high consumption of ginger. However, there is very littleinformation on the effects of ginger on semen characteristics.Aims: The study was designed to investigate the effects of ginger on the semen parameters of the male rats usingquantitative and qualitative methods.Materials and Methods: Forty-eight male wistar rats were divided into four groups designated as control, A, Band C and administered daily by gavage with 1 ml distilled water, 100 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg ofethanolic ginger extract respectively for 30 days.Results and Discussion: The present study showed that there was a numerical increase in sperm count, spermmorphology, sperm viability and sperm motility in the extract-treated rats in a dose dependent manner whichwas statistically significant (p < 0.05).Conclusion: We concluded that ginger extract may be potentially useful in the management of male infertilityespecially those with low sperm count