Antispermatogenic and hormonal effects of Crotalaria juncea Linn. seed extracts in male mice.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the antifertility activity of various extracts of Crotalaria juncea seeds in male mice.


METHODS
Adult male mice were gavaged the petroleum ether, benzene and ethanol extracts of C. juncea seeds, 25 mg x (100g)(-1) x day(-1) for 30 days. On day 31 the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and the testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, bulbourethral gland and levator ani were dissected out and weighed. The organs were processed for biochemical and histological examination.


RESULTS
In petroleum ether, benzene and ethanol extracts treated rats, there was a decrease in the weights of testis and accessory reproductive organs. The diameters of the testis and seminiferous tubules were decreased. Spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids in the testis and the sperm count in cauda epididymis were also decreased. There was a significant reduction in the protein and glycogen contents and an increase in the cholesterol content in the testis, epididymis and vas deferens. Of the 3 extracts, the ethanol extract appeared to be the most potent in antispermatogenic activity. When the ethanol extract was tested in immature male mice, there was an antiandrogenic effect as the weights of accessory organs were reduced.


CONCLUSIONS
The various extracts of C. juncea seeds arrest spermatogenesis and are likely to have an antiandrogenic activity.
Vijaykumar
B
B
Department of Post-Graduate Studies and Research in Zoology, Gulbarga University, Gulbarga-585106, India.
Sangamma
I
I
Sharanabasappa
A
A
Patil
Saraswati B
SB
D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000988:Antispermatogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000032:analysis; D029864:Crotalaria / Q000737:chemistry*; D004822:Epididymis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry; D006003:Glycogen / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011467:Prostate / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013076:Sperm Count; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D000988:Antispermatogenic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013739:Testosterone; D006003:Glycogen; D002784:Cholesterol