Effect of citrullus colocynthin on certain sperm functions and live birth in mice : experimental model for mammals

Abstract EN

The goal of this study is to find out the effect of Citrullus colocynthin(CC) on sperm function parameters and live birth in mice as a model for mammals.

Balb/C male and female mature mice , were used in three experiments.

Experiment No.1, the male mice were randomly divided into five groups each contains 6 animals according to different concentrations of CC(2.4,4.8,7.2 and 9.6mg/kg/day) and control group.

Experiment No.

2,twenty four females were divided into four groups (6 females in each group)untreated and treated with 1.2 ,4.8, and 7.2 mg/kg/day of CC.

Experiment No.3,Four mature male mice were coupled with eight mature females, both were treated only with 4.8mg/Kg/day, and the number of live births were recorded .All the mice groups were treated with CC orally for eight weeks.

There was a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the mean of sperm concentration of mice treated with 7.2mg and 9.6 mg /kg/day of CC compared to control, 2.4mg and 4.8 mg/kg/day of mice groups.

Percentage of sperm motility and grade activity of progressive movement of mice treated with 4.8 mg/kg/day was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of other CC concentrations.

A highly significant (P<0.01) reduction was observed in the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm(MAS) following treatment with 4.8mg of CC compared to other groups .

There was a significant (P<0.05) increase in the number of live birth in treated male and female group (9.0+0.4) compared to untreated group(6+0.3).

The present study revealed that CC in limited doses can be used for invivo improvement of certain sperm characters and to enhance the fertilization ability of the females.