Abstract

The Sclerotia of Pleurotus tuberregium are used in the South-south region of Nigeria to treat infertility in women. The effect of the ethanol crude extract of P. tuberregium on some fertility parameters was evaluated on non-pregnant female albino Wister rats to determine the biosafety of the sclerotia of P. tuberregium. In the course of the experiment the ethanol crude extract of P. tuberregium was administered to the animals orally at the doses of 100, 500, and 1000 mg/kg per day for 28 days. The result showed that weight of various organs especially those of the reproductive parameters (the ovary and uterus) of tested animals significantly increased within the tested period when compared with the control. The histological results revealed that the extract is better as a fertility drug at lower doses although there were no alteration in the cellular structure of tested animal organs even at high dose. This study therefore suggests that the sclerotia of P. tuberregium is useful in maintaining reproductive indices and can be recommended for medical use.