ANTIFERTILITY EFFECTS OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF CARICA-PAPAYA SEEDS IN MALE-RATS

The influence of the crude aqueous extract of Carica papaya L. (Carica ceae) seeds has been studied on semen profile, fertility, body and org an weight response, and toxicology in male albino rats. The extract wa s administered at the dose regimens of 10 and 50 mg/animal/day orally for 30, 60, and 90 days and 0.1. and 1.0 mg/animal/day intramuscularly for 15 and 30 days. Cauda epididymal sperm motility and count was red uced significantly at low and high dose regimens both in the oral as w ell as the intramuscular groups. The reduced sperm motility was associ ated with morphological defects. Testicular sperm counts were also red uced in all the treatment groups except the low dose intramuscular gro up. Fertility tests showed dose- and duration-dependent reduction and zero fertility was observed at high dose regimens of the oral and intr amuscular groups following 60 and 30 days of treatment, respectively. Testicular weight was reduced in all the treatment groups, whereas acc essory sex organs showed a variable response. Body weight and toxicolo gical observations did not show any untoward response. Fertility and a ll other associated changes returned to normal within 45 and 30 days o f treatment cessation in the oral and intramuscular groups, respective ly. The data revealed that reversible sterility could be induced in ma le rats by papaya seeds aqueous extract treatment without adverse effe cts on libido and toxicological profile.