Reversible contraception like activity of embelin in male dogs (Canis indicus Linn).

Abstract

In order to evaluate the long term metabolic effect of embelin on the testes, adult male dogs were fed with embelin (80 mg/kg b.w. each other day) for 100 days. Loss in weights of testes and spermatogenic elements was noticed. The epididymides were devoid of spermatozoa but the functional morphology remain unaltered. 250 days of recovery period brings about normal spermiogenesis with all 1-8 cell stages. Epididymal milieu showed functional physiology. A three tiered finding accompanying histology, tissue biochemistry and blood/serum profile of dogs treated with embelin showed that 100 days therapy inhibits spermatogenesis, whereas 250 days recovery restores it. Sexual potency and libido of the animals did not change. A reversible male contraception with the help of a plant benzoquinone (embelin) is promising.