title: Effects of Telfairia Occidentalis Seed Oil on Female Reproductive Functions in Wistar Rats.
abstract: The effects of T. occidentalis seed oil on some female reproductive indices were investigated in Wistar rats. The study was divided into two phases: (estrous cycle and pregnancy). Animals were grouped into four: group A received distilled water (control), groups B, C and D received 400, 600 and 800 mg/kg bw of T. occidentalis seed oil respectively. The pattern of estrous cycle was determined for three weeks before and during the treatment. Thereafter, each group was sub- divided into two. The sub-group-1 rats were mated with male breeders, the litter size and birth weight of their offsprings was determined. Sub-group-2 rats were sacrificed and histology of organs and serum levels of LH, FSH and estrogen were assayed. There was no significant difference between the pre-treatment and post-treatment estrous cycle length. However, there was a significant decrease in the frequency of diestrus phase during treatment in all the experimental groups when compared with pre-treatment period but there was no significant difference in the diestrus phase when compared with the control group. Serum estrogen concentration was significantly reduced in the group that was treated with 800 mg/kg bw of T. occidentalis seed oil. Histology of the ovary and uterus in the experimental groups were similar to that of the control group. Birth weight of pups was significantly increased in the group treated with 600 mg/kg bw of T. occidentalis seed oil when compared with the control group. The results of this study suggest that T. occidentalis seed oil does not alter estrous cycle in Wistar rats.
authors: Department of Physiology, College of Health Science, Igbinedion University, Okada. ooore324@yahoo.com.
authors: Oore-Oluwapo I
authors: OO
authors: Daramola
authors: Opeyemi O
authors: OO
authors: Akindele
authors: Adeyombo F
authors: AF
authors: Bolarinwa
authors: Yinusa
authors: Y
authors: Raji
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019662:Cucurbitaceae; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D012639:Seeds; D014599:Uterus / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D010938:Plant Oils