Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the dietary effects of Moringa oleifera leaves on the postnatal development of the rat testis and puberty time. Methods: One hundred and twenty, 21-day-old male Wistar albino rats were used in this study. The rats were divided equally into 4 groups (n = 30 per group); as group 1 (control; fed a standard diet) and groups 2, 3 and 4 (fed a standard diet supplemented with 500, 1000, 1500 mg/kg b.w. of Moringa oleifera leaves powder; respectively). The rats were euthanized at 5, 6,7, 8, and 9 weeks of age. Testis samples were collected immediately after euthanasia and processed for light microscopy. Results: Groups 2, 3 and 4 showed increased number of Leydig cells and germinal cells, early lumen formation and early appearance of spermatozoa in the lumen compared with the control group. However, these observations were more conspicuous in group 4 than groups 2 and 3. Group 4 reached puberty earlier and showed increased sperm production compared with other treated and control groups, suggesting that the most effective concentration of Moringa leaves powder supplementation in rats is 1500 mg/ Kg body weight. Conclusions: Moringa oleifera leaves induce postnatal development of the testis and enhance sperm production, leading to early puberty and high fertility.