Effects of Dorema Aucheri Extract on Oxidative Status and Reproductive Parameters in Adult Male Rats

Background and Aim: Recently, there is increasing concern about the declining of male reproductive health. Oxidative stress has been proposed as a possible mechanism contributed in reproductive system failure. Dorema aucheri that is being used in Persian folk medicine has been supposed to have male fertility-enhancing properties. Present study was done to evaluate the impacts of Dorema aucheri on oxidative status and reproductive parameters in male rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, healthy adult male Wistar rats were treated with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of ethanolic D. aucheri leaves extract via gavage for 70 days. Blood samples were collected for analysis of testosterone, LH and FSH serum levels. Reproductive organs weight, density, motility and morphology of spermatozoa, seminiferous tubules diameter, germinal epithelium height and also testicular levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were evaluated. Findings: Significant (p<0.05) increases were seen in the testis and epididymis weights of male rats treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg D. aucheri extract. In rats treated with D. aucheri extract sperm density and percent of morphologically normal sperm were significantly (p<0.05) higher. No significant differences were seen in serum testosterone, FSH and LH levels between D. aucheri extract-treated groups and controls. D. aucheri significantly (p<0.05) reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and also increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in testicular tissue of rats. Conclusion: Present study indicates that D. aucheri leaves extract has beneficial effects on reproductive parameters in male rats which might be a consequence of its antioxidant properties

Effects of Fumaria parviflora leaves extract on reproductive parameters in adult male rats

Background: There is growing concern that occupational, environmental and lifestyle factors adversely affect male reproductive health. Fumaria parviflora Lam. is being used traditionally in Persian folk medicine to cure various ailments and has been supposed to have fertility-enhancing properties. Objective: A dose-response study was designed to assess effects of F. parviflora ethanolic leaves extract on reproductive parameters in adult male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, healthy adult male rats were treated with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day of F. parviflora leaves extract via gavage for 70 days. Blood samples were collected for determination of testosterone, LH and FSH serum levels. Reproductive organs weight, motility, morphology and density of epididymal sperm, seminiferous tubules diameter and germinal epithelium height were evaluated in each experimental group. Results: The body weight was not affected, while the weights of testis and epididymis were significantly enhanced in rats treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg/day F. parviflora extract. No significant changes were observed in seminal vesicle and ventral prostate weight between experiment groups. Significant increase was found in epididymal sperm density and percent of morphologically normal sperm in extract-treated rats. Serum testosterone levels were significantly higher in rats received 200 and 400 mg/kg/day. Conclusion: The results indicated that ethanolic extract of F. parviflora leaves have a potential to improve reproductive parameters and enhance male fertility