Anti-fertility effect of Aerva lanata crude extract in male Dams offspring: An experimental study

Background: Aerva lanata, a herb used as food and also consumed as a tonic by pregnant women to relieve stomach pains and prevent miscarriage. In addition to other characterized properties, it possesses antifertility and anti-implantation activities. Objective: This study investigates the testicular toxicity of the testes of offsprings of Dams treated with crude aqueous extract of Aerva lanata. Materials and Methods: ۲۵ pregnant Wistar rats (Dams) weighing ۱۸۰-۲۴۰ gr were randomly earmarked into ۵ groups (n = ۵/each). Group A served as control; groups B, C, D, and E received ۲۰۰, ۴۰۰, ۸۰۰, and ۱۰۰۰ mg/kg body weight of Aerva lanata extract, respectively, beginning from ۱۲th to ۱۹th day of gestation. The pups (delivered of Dams) were weighed, observed, and sacrificed ۶ wk post-parturition. The testes of the male pups were obtained for histological procedures the testis histology was examined. Results: No gross malformation was observed in the treatment groups, the number of pups/litter was significantly reduced in group E (p = ۰.۰۱), pups weight analysis showed a significant reduction in groups C and E (p = ۰.۰۴, and ۰.۰۲ respectively), and the mean pup testes weight was significantly reduced in groups B, C, D, and E (p = ۰.۰۳, ۰.۰۳, ۰.۰۱, and < ۰.۰۰۱ respectively) when compared with control. Histologically, the treated pup testes tissues showed varying degrees of disruption and distortion of the cellular arrangements of the germinal epithelium in a dose dependent manner compared to the control. Conclusion: The study revealed a testicular toxicity and possibly antifertility role of Aerva lanata in dams’ pups.

کلیدواژه ها:

Amaranthaceae ، Fertility ، Male fertility ، Male reproductive system ، Local herbs. ، تاج خروس ، باروری ، باروری نر ، دستگاه تناسلی نر ، گیاهان محلی.