title: Effect of caricapryl-99 seed alkaloid extract on the serum levels of sex hormones and pituitary gonadotrophins in male albino rats.
abstract: Activity of alkaloid extract of caricapryl-99 seeds [Carica papaya Linn seeds] on the serum levels of steroid hormones was studied in adult male albino rats. Three tolerated doses obtained from the graph of percentage toxicity [10, 50 and 150 mg/kg] were separately administered orally, daily for three days to three groups of male rats [n=5] while group four of 5 rats received the vehicle [corn oil] as control. The results showed that 10 mg/kg/d caused increase serum levels of FSH and estrogen but decrease in the serum levels of LH and testosterone compared to control; 50 mg/kg/d elevated the serum levels of FSH, estrogen but inhibited testosterone; while 150 mg/kg/d pretreatments caused a significant decrease [p<0.01] in the serum levels of FSH, LH and testosterone. The results suggest that caricapryl-99 treatment inhibited the serum level of the androgen, testosterone which might result in a male infertility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria. pbudoh@yahoo.com
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Udoh
authors.forename: F V
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Udoh
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Umoren
authors.forename: U W
authors.initials: UW
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Okeke
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Agwu
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D029441:Carica; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004967:Estrogens / Q000097:blood; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary / Q000097:blood*; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D012639:Seeds; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D004967:Estrogens; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone