The Effect of Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Apium graveolens L. Leaf on Delivery Rate in Female Rats, Weight and Gender Ratio of Infants

Abstract

Background: Infertility is one of the world's most common problems that affect both males and females. There are a variety of plants used in traditional medicine to increase fertility and determine the gender of the fetus. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of celery leaf on delivery rate in female rats, weight and gender ratio of infants. Methods: In this experimental study, thirty female rats were divided to three groups (n = 10). The control group received distilled water, while the two experimental groups consumed 100 and 200 mg/kg/BW of the celery extract by daily gavage for five weeks. During the fifth week, each of the two female rats was mated with a male rat. In the end, the number of delivered female rats was identified and recorded. In addition, females received celery extract during the mating period until the end; the infants’ weight and gender ratios (male/female) were recorded and compared 30 days after birth. Results: The delivery rate in the experimental groups compared with the control group was not significant (P > 0.05). The mean number of infants in experimental groups 1 and 2 (respectively 8.7 ± 0.5 and 9.12 ± 0.5) compared with the control (6.6 ± 0.3) was significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05). The difference of gender ratio between groups 1 and 2 (respectively 1.25 ± 0.23 and 0.87 ± 0.11), and the control group (0.93 ± 0.1) was not statistically significant. The average weight in experimental groups 1 and 2 (respectively 4.32 ± 0.19 and 4.46 ± 0.22) compared with the control group (5.98 ± 0.20) was significantly reduced (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: The results showed that the consumption of celery leaf in females can increase the number of infants, and is associated with weight loss. These changes could be associated with compounds such as phytosterols and flavonoids (such as beta cystosterol and quercetin).