Effect of Stevioside on Fertility in Rats

Abstract

Stevioside, a sweet principle of Stevia rebaudiana bertoni (Compositae), was mixed with the diet at concentrations of 0.15%, 0.75% and 3%. Male rats were given the stevioside diet for 60 days before and during mating. Female rats were given the stevioside diet for 14 days before mating and for 7 days during gestation. All pregnant females were sacrificed on the 20th day of gestation and their fetuses were examined for abnormalities.Males and females fed with 3% stevioside showed a slight retardation of body weight increase in the early period of administration. No abnormal signs were seen in mating performance or fertility in either group. No external, internal or skeletal anomalies attributable to stevioside were observed in the fetuses.It was concluded that dietary administration of stevioside to males and females before mating and during the early period of gestation had no adverse effect on fertility or on the development of fetuses.