Reversible antispermatogenic and antisteroidogenic activities of Feronia limonia fruit pulp in adult male rats

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore the antispermatogenic and testicular antisteroidogenic activities of Feronia limonia fruit pulp used traditionally to induce sterility in men in southern India. MethodsFourty Wistar male albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) were equally divided into four groups. Experimental groups were administered with the ethanolic extract of Feronia limonia fruit pulp at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight once daily for 55 days. All the treated rats had corresponding recovery groups. At the end of each treatment periods, various spermatological indices, tissue biochemicals and testicular enzymes levels were analysed. Blood profiles were also estimated. ResultsCompared with the control, the F. limonia fruit pulp at both dose levels did not decrease body weight, while the testes, epididymides and seminal vesicles were significantly (P<0.01) reduced this effects were associated with decline in epididymal sperm count, motility, viability and increased percent of abnormal sperm. Further, the Feronia limonia fruit pulp at 500 mg/kg body weight markedly reduced the epididymal and testicular protein content by 24.58 and 29.86%, respectively, as well as the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) and δ5−3β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase (δ5−3β-HSD) levels by 42.82% and 38.08%, respectively, while a significant elevation was observed in testicular cholesterol and ascorbic acid content. A gradual recovery of all the parameters was observed after 55 days of treatment withdrawal. No significant alterations in haematological indices were observed. ConclusionThe present findings indicate that F. limonia fruit pulp may have reversible antispermatogenic and antisteroidogenic properties, and could partially support the traditional use as male contraceptive.