Effect of gangetin on fertility of male rats

Abstract

This study examines the effects of subcutaneous injections of a plant pterocarpan, gangetin, isolated from the roots of Desmodium gangeticum DC. (Family Leguminosae) on the fertility of adult male rats. Daily administration of gangetin (0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2.0 mg/kg body weight for 30 days) caused an impairment of fertility (number of implants were reduced significantly) and it was dose dependent. The treatment also caused a reduction in the vaginal sperm count and an enhancement of pre-implantation losses. Complete recovery of fertility was evident 30 days after the withdrawal of gangetin treatment. The number of spermatozoa in the caput and cauda epididymis were decreased concomitant with a decrease in the motility of spermatozoa, collected from the cauda epididymis. The weights of testes, epididymides, vas deferens and prostate were also significantly decreased. It was observed that the changes in the parameters were strictly dose dependent. Also it was observed that cessation of treatment for a further period of 30 days brought full recovery of these effects. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.