MOUSE SPERM-EGG INTERACTION IN-VITRO IN THE PRESENCE OF NEEM OIL

In vitro evidence is presented showing toxicity of neem oil on sperm-e gg interaction in mouse. Cumulus oophorus-enclosed ova, inseminated wi th capacitated spermatozoa, were cultured in 1 ml of in vitro fertiliz ation (IVF) medium and overlayered by 1 ml of different concentrations of neem oil (1, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100%) for IVF duration of 4h. At th e end of incubation, ova were allowed to grow in neem oil-free culture medium and assessed for fertilization, first cleavage (2-cell formati on) and blastocyst formation in vitro at 4-14h, 24h and 108h post-inse mination respectively. The study showed that the presence of neem oil at concentrations of 10, 25 and 50% caused inhibition of IVF in a dose -dependent manner. The toxic effect of exposure of 25 and 50% neem oil was further carried over to the first cleavage of the resulting ferti lized ova and the toxic effect of 5, 10, 25 and 50% was carried over t o the blastocyst formation from the resulting fertilized ova when grow n in neem-oil free culture medium. A total of 94.1% inhibition of 2-ce ll formation and 100% inhibition of blastocyst formation from the inse minated ova was observed in 50 and 25% neem oil-treated groups respect ively. Neem oil at 100% concentration caused 100% degeneration of ova at 1h of sperm-ova coculture. The study showed a direct toxic effect o f neem oil on sperm-egg interaction in vitro and encourages research i nvestigations of this herbal product as a pre-coital contraceptive.