Effect of restricted feeding of normal food with aphrodisiac polyherbal preparation on prepubertal and adult male albino rats on fertility and sex ratio.

摘要

Food consumption per day per rat decreased in animals kept on restricted feeding schedule of normal food (2, 4, 8 and 12 hr), the similar trend was observed in experimental groups with aphrodisiac polyherbal preparation (APP) at the dose level of 200 mg/kg b. wt. for 60 consecutive days; prepared by 24 indigenous medicinal plant parts viz., Asparagus racemosus Willd (Tuberous root), Tinospora cordifolia Miers (Dried stem), Tribulus terrestris Linn (Fruits), Withania somnifera Dunal (Roots), Astercantha longifolia Nees. (Seeds), Asparagus adscendenns Roxb (Tuberous roots), Elettaria cardamomum Maton (Seeds), Amomum subulatum Roxb. (Seeds), Crocus sativus Linn. (Stigma), Piper longum Linn (Fruit), Syzygium aromaticum Linn (Inflorescence), Myristica fragrans Houtt (Fruit), Zingiber officinale Rosc (Rhizome), Pueraria tuberosa DC (Bark), Mucuna pruriens Baker (Seeds), Eulophia campestris Wall. (Inflorescence), Salmalia malabaeicum (DC.) (Bark), Santalum album Linn (Wood), Anacyclus pyrethrum C.D. (Twigs), Centella asiatica Linn (Whole plant), Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn (Stem bark), Salvia plebeia R.Br. (Seeds), Altingia excelsa Noronha (Stone), Cucurbita maxima Duchesne (Seeds) during adulthood but it remained unchanged in immature rats except in a group which was restricted to feed for 2 hr. The body weight gain decreased significantly in both the age groups. Epididymal sperm concentration did not change with feeding restriction along with (APP) on adult rats as well as the rats which attain puberty during the study period. Conception rate in females after mating with males understudy did not alter and was at par to control. Percentage of male and female litters obtained after mating with females kept on 4, 8 and 12 hr per day feeding schedule during prepubertal period produced more males as compared to females (2:1). The results thus reveal that restricted feeding of normal food along with APP during prepubertal period increases fertility and affects sex ratios in rats.