Abstract
The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the effect of
H. europaeum
and
T. serotinum
extracts on fertility of male rats. The 1
st
group received vehicle (control). The 2
nd
and 3
rd
groups received
H. europaeum
and
T. serotinum
extracts, respectively. Each extract was given orally at 3 dose levels; 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg for 7 weeks. None of the sexual activity parameters was significantly altered following
H. europaeum
.
T. serotinum
extract at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg reduced serum level of testosterone and the motility, count and viability of sperms but without change in sperm morphology. No distinct changes in serum levels of follicle stimulating and leutinizing hormones were recorded. There was also significant reduction in mating success % and fertility success % among
T. serotinum
-medicated males. Histologically, seminiferous tubules of
T. serotinum
-treated rats (200 and 400 mg/kg) showed marked arrests of spermatogenesis and marked decrease in the number of mature sperms. Both extracts did not significantly alter any of the biochemical (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, urea, creatinine) and hematologic (erythrocytic count, total leucocytic count, haemoglobin and packed cell volume) parameters compared to control group. The results of this study suggest that
T. serotinum
extract possesses potential fertility lowering effects without altering general body metabolism.