Antireproductive effects of the pineal extract of camel in female mice

ABSTRACT

This investigation has been carried out to study the effect of graded doses [0.5, 1 and 1.5 ml] of the peptide pineal extract of camel on the uterine weight and on early pregnancy in female mice. It has been demonstrated that the highest dose [1.5 ml] of the pineal extract, administrated to mature female mice induced the following effects Inhibited the stimulatory effect of HCG on uterus of non pregnant mature female mice. On the 2nd day of pregnancy, injection of the same dose of the extract led to 100% interruption of pregnancy and 100% reduction in the mean number of implantation sites. A significant decrease [P < 0.001] in the average number of corpora lutea, Lutein cells, and number of uterine blood capillaries and their transverse diameter when compared with that of normal pregnancy. Histological examination of the interrupted pregnant uteri showed similar finding to those of the dioestrus phase. On the 4th day of pregnancy, injection of the same dose of the pineal extract led to a lesser interruption of pregnancy on comparison with that on the 2nd day or pregnancy. The administration of another two low doses [0.5 and 1 ml] on the 2nd day of pregnancy, lead to a weaker effect on the uterine weight and pregnancy. This work suggests that, the inhibition of the stimulatory effect of the HCG on uterine weight and interruption of pregnancy of the pineal extract may be due to its antigonadal action