title: Anethum graveolens Linn. (dill) extract enhances the mounting frequency and level of testicular tyrosine protein phosphorylation in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of Anethum graveolens (AG) extracts on the mounting frequency, histology of testis and epididymis, and sperm physiology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male rats induced by cold immobilization before treating with vehicle or AG extracts [50, 150, and 450 mg/kg body weight (BW)] via gastric tube for consecutive 1, 7, and 14 d were examined for mounting frequency, testicular phosphorylation level by immunoblotting, sperm concentration, sperm acrosome reaction, and histological structures of testis and epididymis, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AG (50 mg/kg BW) significantly increased the mounting frequency on Days 1 and 7 compared to the control group. Additionally, rat testis treated with 50 mg/kg BW AG showed high levels of phosphorylated proteins as compared with the control group. In histological analyses, AG extract did not affect the sperm concentration, acrosome reaction, and histological structures of testis and epididymis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AG extract enhances the aphrodisiac activity and is not harmful to sperm and male reproductive organs.
authors: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand. iamsaard_sitt@yahoo.com
authors: Sitthichai
authors: S
authors: Iamsaard
authors: Thawatchai
authors: T
authors: Prabsattroo
authors: Wannisa
authors: W
authors: Sukhorum
authors: Supaporn
authors: S
authors: Muchimapura
authors: Panee
authors: P
authors: Srisaard
authors: Nongnut
authors: N
authors: Uabundit
authors: Wipawee
authors: W
authors: Thukhammee
authors: Jintanaporn
authors: J
authors: Wattanathorn
mesh_terms: D028524:Anethum graveolens / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D003307:Copulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D014443:Tyrosine