Effect of methanol extract of Ricinus communis seed on reproduction of male rats.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of methanol extract of Ricinus communis seed (RCE) on male rats reproductive functions.


METHODS
Thirty-two male albino rats were divided into four groups. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were gavaged with 0.2 mL of 2.5% tween 80 (RCE vehicle; control) or 20 mg/(kg x d) and 40 mg/(kg x d) of RCE, respectively, for 30 days, and group 4 was also gavaged with 40 mg/(kg x d) of RCE, but was allowed a recovery period of 30 days. Five untreated female rats were cohabited with male rats in each group from day 25 of RCE treatment for 5 days, except group 4, where cohabitation began on day 25 of the recovery period. All male rats were sacrificed 24 h after the experiments. The female rats were laparotomized on day 19 of pregnancy and the number and weight of litters were recorded.


RESULTS
There was a significant decrease (P<0.01) in the weight of the reproductive organs, sperm functions and serum levels of testosterone in RCE treated rats. There was disorganization in the cytoarchitecture of the testes, disruption of the seminiferous tubules and erosion of the germinal epithelium. The number and weight of litters of rats in groups 2 and 4 decreased significantly (P<0.05) but no changes were observed in group 3. RCE caused no changes in liver, kidney, heart or body weights in male rats.


CONCLUSIONS
RCE has a reversible negative impact on male reproductive functions, which appears to be mediated via gonadal disruption in testosterone secretion.
Raji
Yinusa
Y
Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 23 402, Nigeria. raji_ui@yahoo.com
Oloyo
Ahmed Kolade
AK
Morakinyo
Ayodele Olufemi
AO
D000818:Animals; D004822:Epididymis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D008098:Litter Size / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D000432:Methanol; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011467:Prostate / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D012278:Ricinus / Q000737:chemistry*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects
D010936:Plant Extracts; D000432:Methanol