ABSTRACT
This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of ethanolic seed extract of Apium graveolens L. [Apiaceae][ESEAG] on male rat fertility. Two doses of the extract [425 and 213 mg/kg body weight] were administered by oral gavage for sixty consecutive days. Five days before the end of this period, each rat was cohabited with two female rats. Fertility indices, hematology, and organ weight and histology were then assessed. The ESEAG arrested spermatogenesis and caused a marked, dose-dependent decrease in sperm count, cauda epididymal sperm motility, blood testosterone concentration, weight of testes and seminal vesicles, testicular protein contentas well as diameter and viability of seminiferous tubules. In addition, a lower number and weight of viable fetuses was obtained for female rats which were impregnated by ESEAG-treated male rats. Hematological parameters, serum liver enzyme levels, thyroid weight and liver and kidney histoarchitecture were not affected. This study shows a dose-dependent antifertility effect of the ESEAG in male rats without toxic effects on other body organs