Effects of Aqueous and Methanol Extracts of Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Milk on Testosterone Level and Testes of Male Albino Rats

Aims: This study was designed to investigate the effect of aqueous and methanol extracts of Cocos nucifera (coconut) milk on the testosterone levels and testes of male albino wistar rats.

Study Design: A 15-day experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: Animal House and Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, between May 2019-November 2019.

Methodology: Twenty five adult male albino rats were divided into five groups (I-V) of five rats each. Rats in group I received only water and standard feed throughout the experiment and served as control. Groups II and III received 163mg/kg and 326mg/kg of methanol extract of coconut milk (MECM) respectively, while group IV and V received 110mg/kg and 220mg/kg of aqueous extract of coconut milk (AECM) for two weeks. Upon completion of extract administration, the blood samples of the rats were obtained by a retro-orbital puncture of the median canthus for estimation of serum testosterone. The animals were sacrificed and the testes excised, weighed and fixed in 10% formal saline for 48hours prior to paraffin embedding for histological processing. Testes sections were processed and stained using the Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) technique for light microscopical examination.

Results: There was no significant difference in the relative testicular weight between the "control" and "treatment" groups following oral administration of MECM and AECM to rats. Similarly, there was no discernible variation in the testosterone levels between the "control" and "test" groups. Testicular histology showed normal seminiferous tubule with mild germinal epithelial sloughing, hence no increased spermatogenesis was observed in the experimental group.

Conclusion: Extracts of Cocos nucifera milk had no significant short term effects on the testicular weight and the testosterone level of male Albino rats. In addition, extracts of Cocos nucifera milk at these doses may cause mild morphological alterations in the testes of rats.