Antifertility effect of methanolic extract of aerial plant parts of Calotropis gigantea L. in male albino wister rats

Abstract

The effects of methanolic extract of aerial plant part of Calotropis gigantea on reproduction have been studied on male rats. The study was divided into four groups of 10 animals each. The first group (I) received vehicle alone to serve as control. The second and third (II and III) of animals were administered the root extract daily at 100 mg/kg body weight, and 200 mg/kg body weight, respectively, for a period of 60 days. Animals of group IV served as recovery group and treated with 100 mg dose for 60 days and kept of recovery period of 30 days. Significant decreases in the weights 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 males, ratio between delivered and inseminated females and number of pups were observed. Significant reduction in serum concentration of luteinizing hormone and testosterone were observed. No distinct change in serum FSII concentration was recorded. The final body weights of all groups were elevated markedly. Results reveal that methanolic extract of Calotropis gigantea could be used as potential source of anti-fertility agent.