Antispermatogenic activity of Morinda lucida extract in male rats

Aim： To investigate the effect of Morinda lucida Benth （Rubiaceae） on the reproductive activity of male albino rats. Methods： Two groups of rats were treated with 400 mg/（kg.d） of Morinda lucida leaf extract for 4 and 13 weeks, respectively. The control rats received the vehicle. All the treated rats had corresponding recovery groups. At the end of each experimental period, animals were killed and organ weights, sperm characteristics, serum testosterone levels, histology of the testes and fertility were assessed. Results： Morinda lucida leaf extract did not cause any changes in body and somatic organ weights, but significantly increased the testis weight （P 〈 0.05）. The sperm motility and viability, and the epididymal sperm counts of rats treated for 13 weeks were significantly reduced （P 〈 0.05）. Sperm morphological abnormalities and serum testosterone levels were significantly increased （P 〈 0.05）. There were various degrees of damage to the seminiferous tubules. The extract reduced the fertility of the treated rats by reducing the litter size. Reversal of these changes, however, occurred after a period of time. Conclusion： The extract of Morinda lucida has reversible antispermatogenic properties.

Antispermatogenic and hormonal effects of Crotalaria junceaLinn. seed extracts in male mice

Aim: To evaluate the antifertility activity of various extracts of Crotalaria juncea seeds in male mice. Methods: Adult male mice were gavaged the petroleum ether, benzene and ethanol extracts of C. juncea seeds, 25 mg·(100g)-1·day-1 for 30 days. On day 31 the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and the testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, bulbourethral gland and levator ani were dissected out and weighed. The organs were processed for biochemical and histological examination. Results: In petroleum ether, benzene and ethanol extracts treated rats, there was a decrease in the weights of testis and accessory reproductive organs. The diameters of the testis and seminiferous tubules were decreased. Spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids in the testis and the sperm count in cauda epididymis were also decreased. There was a significant reduction in the protein and glycogen contents and an increase in the cholesterol content in the testis, epididymis and vas deferens. Of the 3 extracts, the ethanol extract appeared to be the most potent in antispermatogenic activity. When the ethanol extract was tested in immature male mice, there was an antiandrogenic effect as the weights of accessory organs were reduced. Conclusion: The various extracts of C. juncea seeds arrest spermatogenesis and are likely to have an antiandrogenic activity.

Reversible antispermatogenic and antisteroidogenic activities of Feronia limonia fruit pulp in adult male rats

Objective:To explore the antispermatogenic and testicular antisleroidogenic activities of Feronia limonia fruit pulp southern India.Methods:Fourty Wistar male albino rats(Ratios norvegicus)were equally divided into four groups.Experimental groups were administered with the ethanolic extract of Feronia lirnonia(F.limoni)fruit pulp at doses of 250 and 500 nig/kg body weight once daily for 55 days.All treated rats had corresponding recovery groups.At the end of each treatment periods,various spermatological indices,tissue biochemicals and testicular enzymes levels were analysed.Blood profiles were also estimated.Results:Compared with the control,the F.lirnonia.fruit pulp at both dose leveb did not decrease body weight,which were associated with decline in epididymal sperm count,motility,viability and increased percent of abnormal sperm.Further,F.limonia.fruit pulp at 500 mg/kg body weight markedly reduced the epididymal and testicular protein content by 24.58%and 29.86%,respectively,as well as the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and△~5-3β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase)levels by 42.82%and 38.08%,respectively,while a significant elevation was observed in testicular cholesterol and ascorbic acid content.A gradual recovery of all parameters was observed after 55 days of treatment withdrawal.No significant alterations in haematological indices were observed.Conclusions:The present findings indicate that F.lirnonia fruit pulp may have reversible antispermatogenic and antisteroidogenic properties,and could partially support the traditional use as mate contraceptive.