title: Assessment of reversible contraceptive efficacy of methanol extract of Mentha arvensis L. leaves in male albino mice.
abstract: The present study was undertaken to assess the reversible contraceptive efficacy of methanolic extract of Mentha arvensis leaves. Aqueous solution of the extract (10 mg per day per mouse) when administered orally to male mice of proven fertility for 20, 40 and 60 days caused inhibition of fertility while maintaining their normal sexual behaviour. With the increase in treatment duration, there occurred a corresponding decrease in the mean weight of testis and accessory organs of reproduction. Sperm concentration, motility and viability in the cauda epididymis were also decreased. Spermatozoa with coiled tails also appeared in the epididymal smear. However, all the induced effects returned to normalcy within 30 days following withdrawal of 60-day treatment. Oral administration of the extract also did not affect the body weight of the mice and their blood cells count, packed cell volume, haemoglobin and blood/serum biochemistry.
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Physiology Section, Department of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, C-118(B), Kunoria P.G. Girls College, Mangal Marg, Bapu Nagar, 302 004, Jaipur, India. dr_nidhi@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: Nidhi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jacob
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D027541:Mentha / Q000737:chemistry*; D000432:Methanol; D051379:Mice; D009929:Organ Size; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000432:Methanol