title: Short-term effects of high-dose khat on sperm parameters and reproductive hormonal levels in olive baboons (Papio anubis).
abstract: The biological effects of khat (Catha edulis) on reproduction and fertility are inadequately investigated and controversial, hence we determined the effects of oral administration of high-dose khat on sperm parameters and male hormonal levels in olive baboons. In this study, 6 male baboons received a high dose of khat (500 g/week) during 1 month. Electroejaculation for sperm studies (concentration, motility and chromatin integrity) and plasma collection for hormonal analysis (testosterone, prolactin and cortisol) were done weekly during 1 month before and 1 month during khat administration as well as 2 weeks after the last dose of khat administration. Administration of khat extract induced a significant reduction in sperm motility (p = 0.008), sperm count (p = 0.041), sperm chromatin integrity (p = 0.0003), testosterone levels (p = 0.035) and prolactin levels (p = 0.0115), but not in cortisol levels and sperm volume (p > 0.05). The results suggest that high-dose khat decreases sperm quality and testosterone and hence may contribute to male infertility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Health and Biology, Institute of Primate Research, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Atunga
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nyachieo
authors.forename: Muthamia M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Kiraithe
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Spiessens
authors.forename: Daniel C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.forename: Nicholas M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Kiulia
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: D'Hooghe
authors.forename: Jason M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mwenda
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D000818:Animals; D029754:Catha; D002843:Chromatin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D048530:Papio anubis; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D002843:Chromatin; D028321:Plant Preparations; D013739:Testosterone; D011388:Prolactin; D006854:Hydrocortisone