• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.3 no.3
• /
• pp.133-140
• /
• 2003

Petroleum ether, chloroform and ethanol extracts of the seeds of Melia azedarach Linn. administered orally to male rats at the dose level of 25 mg/100 g body weight for 48 days showed antispermatogenic activity, as the number of spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa was decreased. The total cholesterol content was increased while protein and glycogen contents were decreased. The acid phosphatase content was also decreased while that of alkaline phosphatase increased. At the same time the weight of caput and cauda epididymis, prostate gland, seminal vesicle and Levator Ani muscle was decreased indicating its antiandrogenic property. Of the three extracts, the petroleum ether extract was more potent in its antispermatogenic and antiandrogenic activities and did not produce any sings of toxicity upto a dose of 25 mg/100 g body weight oral administration. After subjecting it to preliminary phytochemical screening the petroleum ether extract showed positive tests for steroids and saponins.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.86-95
• /
• 2006

The ethanol extract of the Crotalaria juncea seeds, which showed promising antispermatogenic and antiandrogenic activities in albino mice, was taken up further for the isolation of the active fractions present in it. Two fractions that were obtained from thin layer chromatography were subjected for testing to know their antispermatogenic and antiandrogenic activities. After preliminary trials the fraction I showed maximum antifertility activity at the dose level of 200 mg/kg body weight when administered orally to the rats for 50 days. The fraction I was found to affect spermatogenesis as well as the endocrine functions of the testis as indicated by gravimetric, histopathological and biochemical changes. Further this fraction has caused degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells of the testis. The accessory reproductive organs like epididymis, seminal vesicles, vas deferens, prostrate, Cowper's gland and Levator Ani muscle showed significant malfunction. Cauda epididymal sperm count and sperm motility were reduced significantly. The treatment has also resulted in increase in the cholesterol level and alkaline phosphatase activity, and decrease in protein, glycogen, sialic acid contents and acid phosphatase activity in testis. It is noteworthy that RIA studies have shown significant reduction in serum FSH, LH and testosterone. Scanning electron microscopic observations revealed abnormalities in sperm structure.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.111-124
• /
• 2008

In the present study, an attempt has been made to assess whether the effect of benzene extract of Ocimum sanctum leaves on the ultrastructural changes in the epithelial cells of the cauda epididymis, its subsequent recovery in the seminiferous epithelium and fertility of male albino rats. Wistar strain male albino rats were orally administered benzene extract of 250 mg/kg body weight of O. sanctum leaves followed by subsequent recovery maintaining suitable controls for 48 days. Results indicate decrease in the weights of testis, epididymis and seminal vesicles. Other accessory organs were not affected. Total count, cell and nuclei diameters of germ cells and Leydig cells were reduced. Cauda epididymis exhibited significant reduction in epithelial height and nuclei diameter of epithelial cells. Cells showed vacuolization with exhibit of signs of degeneration. Ultra study revealed that, in general, the cauda epididymis was affected and in particular, the principal, clear and basal cells were highly disturbed. Further, there was decrease in the size of lipid droplets, mitochondria, Golgi complex, endoplasmic reticulum and accumulation of lysosomal bodies. Fertility performance test showed no implantation in female rats mated with O. sanctum treated rats. Moreover, their recovery after withdrawal of treatment was observed suggesting that the effect of the treatment is transient and reversible. A recovery period resulted in normal spermatogenesis and fertility, suggesting reversible antispermatogenic and antifertility effects of the plant.

• Journal of Aquaculture
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.133-139
• /
• 2006

The gossypol existed in cottonseed meal is a well known antispermatogenic agent which can impair reproductive performances of male fish as well as mammals. Two feeding experiments were conducted to examine a toxic effect of dietary supplementation of cottonseed meal on reproduction in juvenile olive flounder (the first experiment) for 19 weeks and growing olive flounder (the second experiment) for 26 weeks. After each feeding study, females and males were sampled for histological examination in gonads and liver to verify any negative effects by the dietary supplementation of cottonseed and soybean meal on reproduction. After two feeding trial, the gonad somatic index (GSI) of male and female (from the first feeding trial) were not significantly different among all the dietary treatments. The GSI values of female (from the second feeding trial) were not significantly different among all the dietary treatments. However, males fed cottonseed and soybean meal containing diets exhibited significantly lower GSI than that fed the control diet after the second feeding trial. Histological examination of gonads and liver of fish fed cottonseed and soybean meal did not show any negative effects compared to those of fish ffd the control diet. Hepatosomatic index of fish in the first and second feeding trials were not significantly different among all the dietary treatments. The findings in this study suggest that dietary supplementation of cottonseed and soybean meal up to 40% fish meal replacement might not deteriorate the gametogenesis of juvenile and growing olive flounder. However, the supplementation in diets over 30% fish meal replacement might reduce GSI of male in growing olive flounder.