Evaluation of the antifertility activity of the broom Spartium junceum in the mammalian male.
Male adult rabbits and rats treated with Spartium junceum showed a significant decrease in fertility, demonstrated by a lower number of pregnancies. The target of the drug seems to be the acrosomal protease system, the activity of which appears greatly reduced, while the morphology of testicular cells and epididymal spermatozoa is only partially affected. The antifertility effect is completely reversible.
Baccetti
B
B
Istituto Biologia Generale, CNR, Siena, Italy.
Burrini
A G
AG
Chen
J S
JS
Collodel
G
G
Giachetti
D
D
Matteucci
F
F
Menesini-Chen
M G
MG
Moretti
E
E
Piomboni
P
P
Sensini
C
C
D000177:Acrosome / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure
D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011480:Protease Inhibitors