Abstract Extract of Annona spp. have been used for several medicinal purposes such as the management of diabetes and its complications, also as antioxidant and antimutagenic agents. Hence, the mitigating effect of soursop (A. muricata) leaf extract on sperm toxicity induced by caffeine was assessed on the weight of testes and epididymes, epididymal sperm count, motility, viability, semen pH and sperm head abnormality in albino rats as a model. The male rats were divided into six groups of six rats each. The rats were administered with treatments of caffeine and Soursop Tea (SST) for 65 days. Results obtained revealed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the weight of epididymes, sperm motility, sperm viability and sperm count while sperm head abnormalities significantly increased in caffeine – treated animals. No significant differences were observed in semen pH and weight of testes. In conclusion, SST mitigated the caffeine-induced toxicity on weight of epididymes, sperm motility, sperm viability, sperm count and sperm head abnormality in the mammalian models in a dose – dependent manner.
Keywords Soursop, caffeine, toxicity, sperm quality, sperm count, sperm head abnormality.