Ethanol Extract of Indian jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana) Leaves Decrease Motility without Affecting Sperm Morphology in Mice (Mus musculus L.)

Abstract

Male infertility is one of the major causes of infertility in couples and is closely associated with a decline in spermatozoa quality due to oxidative stress. Indian jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana) leaves are known to possess antioxidant potential due to the presence of bioactive compounds; however, their effects on the male reproductive system have not yet been comprehensively understood. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of ethanol extract of Indian jujube leaves on sperm quality parameters in healthy adult mice (Mus musculus L.). The study employed a completely randomized design consisting of three treatment groups with three mice in each group (n = 3): a control group, and treatment groups receiving Indian jujube leaf ethanol extract at doses of 200 mg/kg body weight and 400 mg/kg body weight for 14 days. The observed parameters included body weight, sperm morphology and sperm motility. The obtain data were analyzed using a one-way Analysis of variance at a significance level of 5%. The results showed that administration of Indian jujube leaves ethanol extract had no significant effect on body weight and sperm morphology. However, the extract significantly decreased normal sperm motility and increased abnormal sperm motility compared with the control group. These findings indicate that ethanol extract of Indian jujuba leaves reduces sperm motility in  mice in a dose-dependent manner, without significantly affecting body weight and sperm morphology.