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
ABSTRACT
Meloxicam, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 preferential inhibitor, was studied for its anti-implantation and parturition effects on pregnant rats. Regarding the effect of meloxicam on implantation, rats were dosed orally by 7.5 and 10 mg/kg/day from day 1 through 3 or from day 3 through 5 of gestation, respectively. While for the parturition effect, rats were dosed orally by the above doses from day 20 through 22 of gestation. The results of implantation experiments showed that the number of implantation sites was significantly decreased in all treated groups in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Whereas the number of resorption sites were significantly increased in all meloxicam treated groups. On the other hand, the results of parturition experiments indicated that meloxicam significantly prolonged the duration time of delivery in a dose-dependent manner. Further, significantly less viable fetuses and pups were delivered per female treated with meloxicam. In conclusion, the results indicate that meloxicam exhibited potential effect on implantation and parturition processes of pregnant rats