(021) Evaluation of fertility potential of Balanites Aegyptiaca Sapogenin extract in male rats, Dr. Soheir Abd El-Rahman, Haya Al-Ahmari
Dr. Soheir N. Abd El-Rahman
Agriculture Research Center
Egypt
Haya Al-Ahmari
Dammam University
Saudi Arabia
DOI: 10.47556/J.IJSR.3.1.2013.2
Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Balanites aegyptiaca sapogenin extract (BASE) on the fertility of male rats.
Design/methodology/approach: The fertility experiment was done on four groups of male rats. One group was kept as a normal control (NC) and the others were treated with BASE at levels 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg b.w. for 70 days. Serum chemistry (total cholesterol, glucose, sALT, sAST, urea and creatinine), and serum hormones (LH, FSH, oestradiol and testosterone) were then determined. Sperm parameters (sperm motility, sperm count [testicular and epididymal], daily sperm production and sperm transit rate [day]), fructose in semen and semen quality were also determined.
Findings: The results showed no significant (P< 0.05) effect on serum cholesterol, sALT, urea, semen quality, sperm motility, sperm count (testicular and epididymal), daily sperm production and sperm transit rate (day) in animals treated with BASE at levels 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg b.w. compared to NC. Serum creatinine decreased significantly in rats treated with BASE at levels 50 and 100 mg/kg b.w. compared to NC, while fructose in semen significantly increased in rats treated with BASE at levels 50 and 100 mg/kg b.w. Serum LH, oestradiol and testosterone showed significant increases and serum FSH concentration showed no significant effect in rats treated with BASE at levels 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg b.w. compared to NC.
Originality/value: From the present study, we can conclude that BASE at levels 25 and 50mg/kg b.w. is safer for inducing fertility in male rats.
Keywords: Balanites Aegyptiaca, Sapogenin Extract, Fertility, Sperm Motility, Semen Quality, Testicular, Epididymal, Oestradiol, Testosterone, Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
