Abstract

EFFECT OF CITRULLUS COLOCYNTHIS ON FUNCTION OF CAUDA EPIDIDYMIS AND ACCESSORY REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS OF MALE RATS

Aksha Sharma, Priyanka Sharma, Mridula Chaturvedi and Suresh C. Joshi*

Abstract

In the present study, the effects of administration of methanolic extract of Citrullus colocynthis on cauda epididymis and accessory reproductive organs i.e. vas deferens, seminal vesicle and ventral prostate of male rats (Rattus norvegicus) were investigated. Methanolic extract of C. colocynthis was fed orally to male albino rats at the dose levels of 75 and 150 mg/kg b.wt./day for 60 days. Oral administration of C. colocynthis caused a significant decrease in epididymal and accessory organs weight. The sperm motility, sperm concentration and fertility were significantly reduced at both the dose levels. The level of protein and sialic acid also declined. The histoarchitecture of the epididymis and accessory organs i.e. vas deferens, seminal vesicle and ventral prostate in the rats receiving C. colocynthis methanolic extract showed highly degenerative changes with increased intertubular space. Lumen contains few sperms along with cellular debris in cauda epididymis and vas deferens. Intertubular stroma is disrupted with few connective tissues. Eosinophilic secretion present in seminal vesicle and ventral prostate was also decreased in treated animals. The extract alters epididymal milieu and affects the functioning of spermatozoa. Therefore C. colocynthis extract might be encountered as an efficient and competent male antifertility agent, but further studies are called for understanding the exact mechanism.

Keywords: Accessory reproductive organs; sperm motility; sialic acid; degenerative changes; antifertility agent.