Efficacy of the steroidal fraction of fenugreek seed extract on fertility of male albino rats

Abstract

Abstract T. foenum‐graecum seed extract (100 mg/day/rat) was fed orally to male albino rats for 60 days. The sperm count and motility of cauda spermatozoa declined significantly leading to negative fertility tests. The organ weights as well as androgen dependent parameters (protein, sialic acid and fructose) were lower, revealing the reduction in circulating androgen. Cholesterol is a precursor of androgen. The increase in testicular and serum cholesterol may be co‐related with its nonutilization by the system, leading to a fall in circulating androgen and hence the altered histoarchitecture observed. Therefore T. foenum‐graecum extract exerts both antifertility and antiandrogenic activities.