Antifertility Effects of Aqueous and Steroidal Extracts of Neem Leaf ( <b> <i>Azadirachta indica</i> </b> ) in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

The antifertility efficacy of both aqueous and steroidal extracts of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) leaves was studied in male Wistar rats. Intraperitoneal injections of the steroidal extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight, twice a week for 10 weeks resulted in impaired spermiogenesis, increased the number of headless spermatozoa and significantly decreased (p<0.01) motility of cauda spermatozoa, leading to a decline in the fertility index. Feeding of a 0.8% (w/v) aqueous neem leaf extract in drinking water for 7 weeks decreased serum testosterone (p<0.01) but no effect was observed in the fertility index. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.