Antifertility effect of chronically administered Tabernaemontana divaricata leaf extract on male rats

摘要

ABSTRACT Objective:To investigate the antifertility effect of chronically administeredTabernaemontana divaricata (T. divaricata) leaf extract on male rats.Methods:The effect of50% ethanol extract ofT. divaricata leaves on reproduction was studied on male rats.The study was divided into four groups of five animals each.The first groups(I) received vehicle alone to serve as control. The second, third and fourth groups(II,II andIV) of animals were administered theleaf extract daily at50 mg/kg body weight,p.o.,100 mg/kg body weight, p.o., and200 mg/kg body weight, p.o., respectively, for a period of60 days.Results:Significant decreases in the weight of testes, epididymis, seminal vesicle and ventral prostate were observed.A dose related reduction in the testicular sperm count, epididymal sperm count and motility, number of fertile male, ratio between delivered and inseminated females and numbers of pups were observed.The testis showed a clear correlation between the dose and severity of lesions of seminiferous epithelium. In general, the seminiferous tubules appear reduced in size with a frequently filled eosinophilic material.Spermatogenesis arrested at the secondary spermatocyte stage.Pachytene spermatocytes were undergoing degeneration.Disorganigation and sloughing of immature germ cell were visible. Leydinf cells were atrophied.No morphological changes were observed inSertoli cells.Significant reduction in serum concentration of luteinizing hormone and testosterone were observed.No distinct change in serumFSH concentration was recorded.The final body weights of all groups were elevated markedly.No alterations were recorded in any hematologiocal parameters. Conclusions:It is concluded that the50% ethanol extract ofT. divaricata leaf produced dose related effect on male reproduction without altering general body metabolism.