title: Improvement of sperm density in neem-oil induced infertile male albino rats by Ipomoea digitata Linn.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Investigation has been carried out to validate folkloric claim of the potential of Ipomoea digitata (ID) based on reproductive health status in experimentally induced male albino rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Emulsified neem oil fed albino rats were orally administered root powder of ID suspended in water for the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight for 40 days. Change in organ weight, sperm density and motility, serum hormonal levels and histomorphological changes were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant increase in the sperm density and the sperm motility (P < 0.01) along with increase in the testis, and epididymes weight in neem-oil induced infertile rats treated with ID at both dose levels. This effect is vis-à-vis to serum hormonal levels. Presence of β-sitosterol in the root of ID likely to enhance the process of spermatogenesis as it is evident from histomorphological studies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of the present investigation reveal that ID is a good candidate for the management of male infertility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Dhanaji Nana Mahavidyalaya, Faizpur, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Ghanashyam Keshav
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Mahajan
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Dhanaji Nana Mahavidyalaya, Faizpur, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Raghunath Totaram
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Mahajan
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Dhanaji Nana Mahavidyalaya, Faizpur, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Arun Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Mahajan
keywords: Ipomoea digitata; male infertility; oligozoospermia; sperm density; testosterone