Feeding hydroalcoholic extract powder ofLepidium meyenii(maca) increases serum testosterone concentration and enhances steroidogenic ability of Leydig cells in male rats

Abstract

Although Lepidium meyenii (maca), a plant growing in Peru's central Andes, has been traditionally used for enhancing fertility and reproductive performance in domestic animals and human beings, effects of maca on reproductive organs are still unclear. This study examined whether feeding the hydroalcoholic extract powder of maca for 6 weeks affects weight of the reproductive organs, serum concentrations of testosterone and luteinising hormone (LH), number and cytoplasmic area of immunohistochemically stained Leydig cells, and steroidogenesis of cultured Leydig cells in 8-week-old male rats. Feeding the extract powder increased weight of seminal vesicles, serum testosterone level and cytoplasmic area of Leydig cells when compared with controls. Weight of prostate gland, serum LH concentration and number of Leydig cells were not affected by the maca treatment. The testosterone production by Leydig cells significantly increased when cultured with 22R-hydroxycholesterol or pregnenolone and tended to increase when cultured with hCG by feeding the extract powder. The results show that feeding the hydroalcoholic extract powder of maca for 6 weeks increases serum testosterone concentration associated with seminal vesicle stimulation in male rats, and this increase in testosterone level may be related to the enhanced ability of testosterone production by Leydig cells especially in the metabolic process following cholesterol.

Plants in the management of male infertility

“…Additionally, several clinical studies have demonstrated that maca increases the number and the motility of spermatozoa and increases sexual function in humans (Gonzales et al, , ; Lee, Lee, You, & Ha, ). In studies that were done with mammalian experimental models, maca administration was also found to improve sperm quality and spermatogenesis (Chung, Rubio, Gonzales, Gasco, & Gonzales, ; Gasco, Aguilar, & Gonzales, ; Gonzales et al, , ; Gonzales, Gonzales‐Castaneda, & Gasco, ; Gonzales, Rubio, Chung, Gasco, & Villegas, ; Sanchez‐Salazar & Gonzales, ; Yucra, Gasco, Rubio, Nieto, & Gonzales, ; Zhang, Zhou, & Ge, ) and the steroidogenic capacity of rat's Leydig cells (Ohta et al, ). Furthermore, the ejaculate volume, erection, mounting activity, sperm quality and the number of bulls that had undamaged plasma membrane acrosome after maca supplementation were increased after two spermatogenic cycles (Clement, Kneubühler, Urwyler, Witschi, & Kreuzer, ).…”

“…androgens, male infertility, medicinal plants, plant extracts, testis and the steroidogenic capacity of rat's Leydig cells (Ohta et al, 2016). Furthermore, the ejaculate volume, erection, mounting activity, sperm quality and the number of bulls that had undamaged plasma membrane acrosome after maca supplementation were increased after two spermatogenic cycles (Clement, Kneubühler, Urwyler, Witschi, & Kreuzer, 2010).…”

Cyclophosphamide-induced male subfertility in mice: An assessment of the potential benefits of Maca supplement

“…In rodents, there are reports that administration of Maca enhances spermatogenesis, fertility and sexual behaviour; effects which are likely due to its phytosterols or phytoestrogens content (Wang, Wang, McNeil, & Harvey, 2007), and its androgen-like effects (Gonzales, Ruiz, Gonzales, Villegas, & Cordova, 2001;Zheng et al, 2000). There are studies that have reported that Maca has no effect on levels of hormones such as testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone or estrogens (Gonzales et al, 2009) in humans or rodents; however, a few other studies have reported that Maca increases serum testosterone levels and steroidogenic ability of leydig cells in rats (Ohta et al, 2016). There are studies that have reported that Maca has no effect on levels of hormones such as testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone or estrogens (Gonzales et al, 2009) in humans or rodents; however, a few other studies have reported that Maca increases serum testosterone levels and steroidogenic ability of leydig cells in rats (Ohta et al, 2016).…”

“…CYP was also associated with morphological evidence of tissue injury (testis and epididymis (Cicero, Bandieri, & Arletti, 2001;Zheng et al, 2000) and sperm count (Chung et al, 2005) following oral administration of various extracts of Maca hypocotyls. The ability of Maca to counteract CYP-induced changes in the male reproductive system has been related to its androgen-like effects (Gonzales et al, 2001;Zheng et al, 2000), and improved steroidogenic ability of Leydig cells (Ohta et al, 2016). The ability of Maca to counteract CYP-induced changes in the male reproductive system has been related to its androgen-like effects (Gonzales et al, 2001;Zheng et al, 2000), and improved steroidogenic ability of Leydig cells (Ohta et al, 2016).…”

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) as a source of macamides and polysaccharide in combating of oxidative stress and damage in human erythrocytes

“…Maca, a native plant in the central Andean region, possesses high carbohydrate, protein and unsaturated fatty acid contents (Cl ement et al, 2010). It was found to be effective for treating arthritis, preserving cognitive function in middle-aged mice, improving memory, regulating hormone secretion and enhancing fertility (Gonzales et al, 2006;Rubio et al, 2007;Efthimiou & Kukar, 2010;Uchiyama et al, 2014;Guo et al, 2016;Ohta et al, 2016). New areas for maca cultivation have been developed in other highaltitude regions including Yunnan province of China.…”