Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF THE ANTIFERTILITY ACTIVITY OF THE ETHYLACETATE LEAF EXTRACT OF LUPINUS ARBOREUS IN MALE ALBINO RATS

Ohadoma S. C.* and Lawal B. A. S.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the anti-fertility tendency of the ethylacetate leaf extract of Lupinus arboreus in rodents. Methods: the ethylacetate extract of Lupinus arboreus leaf were assessed using biochemical estimation carried out in the testis and epididymis viz total cholesterol content, glucose – 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) and 5-3- Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) activities. Results: weight of the testis and epididymis reduced significantly while no significant change was observed in the body weight. Fructose content in the seminal vesicles, sperm motility and sperm density diminished significantly in extract treated rats. The activities of the two key enzymes implicated in androgen biogenesis-G-6-PD and 5 -3-HSD, were significantly inhibited in the extract-treated rats. Conclusion: the results demonstrated that the leaves of L.arboreus arrests spermatogenesis as well as inhibits steroidogenesis consequently acting as antifertility agent in male rats.

Keywords: Lupinus arboreus, chikadoma, antifertility, 5-3-hydroxysteroid, Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.