Aim:To evaluate the effect of methanol extract from the Sphenocentrum jollyanum root on male reproductive activity.Methods: Male albino rats were treated orally with distilled water (vehicle for the extract; control) and 50, 100 and 150 mg kg −1 body weight of Sphenocentrum jollyanum root extract for 8 weeks. Each group had its own recovery. Rats were killed 24 h after the last treatment. Caudal epididymal sperm count, motility, viability, morphology and organ weights were determined. Hematological indices, serum proteins, enzymes, testicular superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and testicular and epididymal histology were determined.Results: Compared with the control, the extract caused a dose dependent significant (P < 0.05) reduction in progressive motility of spermatozoa, viability and total sperm counts. The number of abnormal spermatozoa and epididymal volume were not statistically significant. There was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in serum testosterone levels in rats treated with 50 (P < 0.01) and 100 mg kg −1 (P < 0.05) of Sphenocentrum jollyanum. There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in red blood cell count, packed cell volume and hemoglobin concentration, whereas there was no change in white blood cell count, mean total serum protein, albumin and globulin in the sera of Sphenocentrum jollyanum treated rats when compared with the control. The extract caused a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities with a significant increase (P < 0.05) in testicular SOD activity at a dose of 50 mg kg −1 bodyweight. Testicular cytoarchitecture of the extract treated rats showed degeneration of seminiferous tubules, whereas regeneration of germinal epithelium and restructuring of the germinal interstitium occurred in the recovery rats. No lesions were observed in the epididymis of the rats. Conclusion:The results suggest that methanol extract of the Sphenocentrum jollyanum root could produce harmful effects on reproductive functions in male albino rats which can be attributed to poor sperm quantity (epididymal sperm count), quality (sperm motility, viability and morphology) and testicular degeneration. The steroidogenic potential of the plant could explain its use as an aphrodisiac agent. (Reprod Med Biol 2006; 5: 283-292)

Suggestively, caffeine treatment for 4 weeks could impair body, reproductive organs weight, sperm characteristics, LH/FSH level, and also testicular cyto-architecture. Effects appeared, however, reversible after caffeine withdrawal.

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Background: Humans are exposed to identifiable multiple environmental stressors. However, there is paucity of studies assessing chronic variable stress (CVS) exposure together with antioxidant supplementation on reproductive function. This study investigates impact of vitamin C supplementation, during CVS exposure on contractile functions of testicular artery and sperm parameters. Twenty pubertal male Wistar rats (150-200 g) were grouped into four of five rats each consisting of control (normal saline), vitamin C treated (7 mg/kg bwt), chronic variable stress (CVS) + vitamin C, and CVS only. Animals were treated respectively for 8 weeks. Serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, malondialdehyde (MDA) activity, testosterone, and cortisol were assayed. Contractile responses of excised testicular artery to phenylephrine, potassium chloride, acetylcholine, and sodium nitroprusside were determined using Ugo Basile data acquisition system. Sperm parameters and histopathology of the testis were also determined. Statistical significance was taken at p < 0.05 Result: MDA activity was significantly increased in group exposed to chronic variable stress. However, groups supplemented with vitamin C during CVS exposure showed no significant increase. Serum SOD and catalase were enhanced in group exposed to CVS with vitamin C supplementation when compared to group exposed to chronic variable stress only. Chronic variable stress exposure increased serum cortisol level and this was attenuated with vitamin C supplementation. Vitamin C supplementation significantly increased serum testosterone level when compared to CVS only exposed group. Contraction responses of testicular arterial strips to phenylephrine and potassium chloride were attenuated in vitamin C supplemented groups when compared to CVS only exposed group. Vitamin C supplementation during CVS exposure also enhanced relaxation of testicular artery strip to sodium nitroprusside and acetylcholine. Sperm count and percentage motility were significantly reduced in CVS only exposed group when compared vitamin C supplemented group. Sperms cells with abnormal morphology were also significantly increased in chronic variable stress only exposed group when compared to control and vitamin C supplemented groups. Conclusion: Chronic variable stress adversely impacts contractility of testicular artery, sperm parameters, cortisol, and testosterone level. Vitamin C supplementation modulated these by suppressing MDA and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity.

Aims:In spite of the folkloric use of the root of Carpolobia lutea as a sexual stimulant in man, there has been limited scientific proof of its efficacy. This study compares the efficacy of methanol extract of C. lutea root (MECLR) and sildenafil on the sexual activity of male rabbits.Methods:20 adult male rabbits were grouped into four of five rabbits each. Groups 1-4 were treated orally for 28 days with 2 ml/kg 1% Tween-20 (vehicle), 40 mg/kg MECLR, 80 mg/kg MECLR, and 0.5 mg/kg sildenafil citrate (SC), respectively. Sexual activities of males from each group were assessed by cohabiting them with sexually receptive female at estrus on days 0, 1, 3, and 5 using digital camera mounted on mating arena. Serum testosterone and nitric oxide concentration of the corpora cavernosa homogenates were also determined.Results:MECLR caused a dose-dependent significant increase in mount frequency, intromission frequency and ejaculatory latency (EL) while it reduced mount latency, intromission latency and post EL (similar to SC) when compared with the control. MECLR also caused significant increase in nitric oxide concentration in corpora cavernosa but no change in serum testosterone concentration.Conclusions:Results suggest that MECLR enhances male sexual activity possibly by augmenting nitric oxide concentration. This study thus provides a novel scientific rationale for the use of C. lutea in the management of penile erectile dysfunction and impaired libido.

Background/Aim:Tridax procumbens (Linn) (Asteraceae) is one of the herbs widely distributed in many parts of the world. Its leaves have long been used for the treatment of hypertension in Nigeria. Previous studies have shown that aqueous leaves of T. procumbens extract (TPE) lowers blood pressure through endothelium-dependent and -independent mechanism in the aortic rings isolated from normotensive rats. The aim of the present study was to further investigate mechanisms of TPE-induced relaxation in the aortic artery by assessing its mechanistic interactions with nitric oxide (NO) synthase, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP).Materials and Methods:The aortic artery isolated from healthy, young adult normotensive Wistar albino rats (250-300 g) were pre-contracted with phenylephrine (PE) (10–7 M) and KCl (60 mM) and were treated with various concentrations of aqueous extract of TPE (0.5-9.0 mg/ml). The changes in arterial tension were recorded using Ugo Basile model 7004 coupled to data capsule acquisition system model 17400. The interaction between TPE with cAMP and cGMP inhibitors was also evaluated.Results:The results showed that the TPE (0.5-9.0 mg/ml) significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the contraction induced by PE in a concentration-dependent manner. The vasorelaxant effect caused by the TPE was significantly (P < 0.05) attenuated with pre-incubation of cGMP (Rp-8Br PET cGMPS) and cAMP (Rp-AMP) inhibitor, respectively.Conclusion:These results suggest that TPE causes vasodilatory effects in a concentration-dependent manner in the isolated rat aortic artery. The mechanism of action of TPE is complex. A part of its relaxing effect is mediated directly by blocking or modulating cGMP and cAMP.

Fetal programming hypothesis presupposes that stimulus or insult acting during critical periods of uterine growth and development may permanently alter tissue structure and function. Ricinus communis oil (RCO) has been reported to possess/used as laxative, labor-inducing and estrogenic properties. Generational reproductive effects of maternal exposure to RCO was investigated in rats. A total of 25 pregnant rats randomly assigned to five equal groups were treated with distilled water (control, group 1), RCO (950 mg/kg p.o.) during gestation days (GD) 1-7, 7-14, 14-21 and 1-21, respectively. Birth weight, morphometric data, anogenital distance (AGD), pubertal age, sperm parameters, hormonal profile, organ weight and histopathology were determined in the first (F1) and second (F2) filial generations. Results showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) in birth weight/morphometric data in male pups from the GD 1-7 and 7-14 groups. AGD decreased significantly in RCO-treated F1 males. Pubertal age of F1 females decreased significantly (P<0.05) compared with controls. At postnatal day 90, F1 males from the RCO-treated group showed significant decrease in testis weight, body weight, sperm count, motility and normal morphology. Testosterone levels were significantly decreased in RCO-treated F1 males, which also showed testicular interstitial edema and epididymal hypospermia. Only pubertal indexes were altered in F2 rats. Maternal exposure to RCO at early gestation periods impaired androgen-mediated reproductive end points in the first generation of rats. RCO exhibits endocrine disrupting capabilities.

This study was undertaken to determine the role of vitamin E on reproductive activity of Azadirachta indica extract in rats. Forty adult male albino rats were divided into 5 equal groups. The control group received distilled water while the other groups were treated with Azadirachta indica (150mg/kg bwt) extract alone, vitamin E (100mg/kg bwt) alone, combined Azadirachta indica (150mg/kg bwt) and vitamin E (100mg/kg bwt), and combined Azadirachta indica (150 mg/kg bwt) and vitamin E (150 mg/kg bwt). Group administered Azadirachta indica alone showed significant (p<0.05) decrease in sperm count, viability and motility. Co-administration of A. indica with vitamin E caused an increase in values of these parameters. Serum testosterone concentration decreased significantly (p<0.05) in A. indica only treated group with concomitant increase in groups co-administered with vitamin E. Lipid peroxidation showed significant decrease (p<0.05) in all treated groups with group co-administered with vitamin E showing enhanced modulatory effect than group administered with Azadirachta indica extract alone. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was also significantly (p<0.05) enhanced in all treated groups; the groups treated with vitamin E showed higher activity. The results suggest possible ameliorative effect of vitamin E on adverse impact of Azadirachta indica in reproductive activity of male rats.