Antifertility Effect of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) in Men
Haris Ja’afar Bello *
Department of Biomathematics, National Mathematical Centre, Abuja, Nigeria and Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
Abdulkadir Yusif Maigoro
Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
Mahmood Hassan Dalhat
Department of Biochemistry, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
Sadeeq Muhammad Sheshe
Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
Abdullahi Muhammad Labbo
Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan and Department of Biochemistry, Sokoto State University, Nigeria
Jameela Abdulrahman
Department of Crop Production Technology, Federal College of Forestry, Jos, Nigeria
Anas Muazu
Department of Biomathematics, National Mathematical Centre, Abuja, Nigeria and Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Okra is a nutritious and medicinal vegetable used by many families especially in Asia and Africa. Despite its nutritional and medicinal values, okra is associated with sterility in humans especially men due to the presence of gossypol in the seed. Recently, some studies claimed that excess consumption of okra may have injurious effects on sperm parameters, testes weight, and testicular tissues. These detrimental effects may subsequently reduce male fertility or cause male infertility. Authors used available published data to explain the role of okra in male infertility. In conclusion, this review highlighted the effect of okra in male fertility.
Keywords: Okra, sperm, male infertility, vegetable, gossypol