Antifertility Effects of Curcumin on Sperm Quality, Morphology of Testicular, and Seminal Vesicle in Rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Abstract

Several studies report that curcumin has antifertility effects and has the potential to regulate male fertility (contraception). However, determining the initial dose is preliminary studies based on spermatozoa quality parameters, morphology, and morphometry of testes and seminal vesicles that have never been reported. The main objective of this research is to examine the effects of curcumin on several aspects of reproduction and determine the optimal dose for using curcumin as an antifertility agent. The test animals in this study were Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) threemonth-old males weighing 300 g. Rats were acclimatized for 7 days and given standard feed and water ad libitum. During the research, rats were given standard 552SP feed. A total of six rats were used in this study, then divided into two treatment groups, namely C1 (given standard feed and distilled water orally (without curcumin)); and C2 (given standard feed and oral curcumin 150 mg /kg body weight). The length of treatment followed the duration (cycle) of spermatogenesis in rats, namely 52 days. Data were analysed using the T-test independent. The results indicate a rise in variables related to spermatozoa abnormality and a reduction in spermatozoa concentration, showing no statistically significant differences (P>0.05). Similarly, there were no significant variations (P>0.05) observed in all variables related to testis and seminal vesicle morphology. The administration of curcumin did not yield a statistically significant effect (P>0.05) on decreasing spermatozoa quality concerning testicular morphology, morphometry, and seminal vesicle weight. However, a trend was observed indicating an increase in spermatozoa abnormalities and a decrease in spermatozoa concentration.