Preliminary Study of the Efficacy of the Methanol Extract of the Bark of Kigelia africana in Reversing Early Testicular Damage Induced by Cotton Seed Oil

The present study was designed to investigate the efficacy of the methanol extract of the bark of Kigelia africana in reversing the deleterious effects of cottonseed oil on semen parameters and the cytoarchitecture of the testes. Adult male wistar rats averagely weighing 135g were used for the study and were divided into 3 groups A, B and C. 50mg/kg body weight of methanol extract of the bark of Kigelia africana was given orally to rats in group A for 3 weeks after administration of 1.0ml/kg body weight of cotton seed oil for 6 weeks. Rats in group B received equivalent volume of normal saline for 3 weeks after administration of 1.0ml/kg body weight of cotton seed oil for 6 weeks, while group C served as the control and received normal saline for the period of 9 weeks. Results showed that oral administration of methanol extract of the bark of Kigelia africana reversed the deleterious effects of cottonseed oil on semen parameters by increasing sperm count and sperm motility. The cytoarchitecture of the testes also showed a tendency towards restoration to normal when compared with the control. Keywords: Kigelia africana, cottonseed oil, sperm count, sperm motility, testes. Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol. 7 (2) 2008: pp. 14-1

Antifertility potential of Neem flower extract on adult female Sprague-Dawley rats

Background: The search for a relatively cheap, widely available, widely accepted and effective contraceptive of plant origin; that is equally non-invasive in administration, non-hormonal in action, non-toxic and that is relatively long-acting, generated our interest in this study (in order to meet the increasing need for population control). The aim of this study was to determine the effects of alcoholic extract of Neem flowers on the estrous cycle, ovulation, fertility and foetal morphology of cyclic adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Materials and Methods: Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing between 140-180g were used. There were 3 main experimental groups. Group 1 rats received 1 g/kg of alcoholic extract of Neem flower by gavage for 3 weeks and the effect on estrous cycle studied. Group 2 rats were administered 1 g/kg of Neem flower alcoholic extract at 9 a.m. and at 6 p.m. on proestrus and the effect on the number of ova shed on the morning of estrus observed. Rats in Group 3 were treated with 1 g/kg of alcoholic extract of Neem flower on days 1 to 5 postcoitum, and observation was made for anti-implantion / abortifacient effects and possible teratogenic effects on the foetuses. All the groups were control-matched. Results: The estrous cycle of 80% of the rats was altered with a marked prolongation of the diestrus phase. Neem flower caused a statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the number of ova shed in the morning of estrus in rats fed with the extract at 9 a.m. on proestrus. Neither anti-implantion / abortifacient nor teratogenic effect was observed in the rats treated with Neem flower. Conclusion: Administration of alcoholic extract of Neem flower disrupted the estrous cycle in Sprague-Dawley rats and caused a partial block in ovulation and thus has the potential of being developed into a female contraceptive. Keywords: Neem Flower, Ovulation, Estrous cycle, Fertility African Health Sciences Vol. 8 (3) 2008: pp. 168-17

The Effect of Alcohol Extract of Neem Seed on Ovulation, Estrous Cycle, and the Fertility of Adult Cyclic Sprague–Dawley Rats

There is a search for a cheap, available and effective contraceptive to meet the increasing need for population control. This study was designed to determine the effect of alcoholic extract of Neem seed on the estrous cycle, ovulation and fertility of 38 female cyclic adult Sprague–Dawley rats weighing between 140 – 180g. There were 3 experimental models. I – Neem seed alcoholic extract was given to 5 rats orally for 3 weeks and the effect on the estrous cycle studied. II – Neem seed alcoholic extract was given to 2 groups of 5 rats at 9a.m and at 6p.m on proestrus and the effect on the number of ova shed on the morning of estrus observed. III – Neem seed alcoholic extract was administered on day 1 to 5 postcoitum to 4 rats and observation was made for anti-implantation/abortifacient effect and possible teratogenic effects on the fetuses. Each group received an oral dose of 200mg of Neem seed alcoholic extract. All the groups were control matched. Results showed alterations in the estrous cycle in the treated rats, especially a prolonged diestrus pattern. There was also a partial block in ovulation; however there was no anti-implantation/abortifacient effect observed and no teratogenicity in the fetuses. KEY WORDS: Neem Seed, ovalation, estrous cycle, fertility Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol.3(2) 2004: 116-11

Antifertility potential of Neem flower extract on adult female Sprague-Dawley rats

The search for a relatively cheap, widely available, widely accepted and effective contraceptive of plant origin; that is equally non-invasive in administration, non-hormonal in action, non-toxic and that is relatively long-acting, generated our interest in this study (in order to meet the increasing need for population control). The aim of this study was to determine the effects of alcoholic extract of Neem flowers on the estrous cycle, ovulation, fertility and foetal morphology of cyclic adult Sprague-Dawley rats

Interaction of amodiaquine hydrochloride and antioxidant Vitamin C supplementation on ovarian function in cycling Sprague-Dawley rats

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