Induction of Reversible Antifertility with a Crude Ethanol Extract of Carica papaya Seeds in Albino Male Rats

Abstract

A crude ethanol extract of Carica papaya L. seeds was administered to male albino rats at 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 for the evaluation of contraceptive efficacy, reversibility and related side effects. Significant decreases in cauda epididymal sperm motility, sperm count, fertility and litter size were observed after oral dosing of the extract, while intramuscular administration caused significant decreases in cauda epididymal sperm motility and litter size. Testis weight decreased significantly after oral, but not intramuscular, administration. Body weight response, hematological parameters and blood/serum biochemical parameters were comparable to control values throughout the experimental period. Complete recovery of all the altered parameters except sperm motility in the high dose intramuscular group was evident following 60 and 45 days of treatment withdrawal in animals dosed orally and intramuscularly, respectively. In conclusion, an ethanol extract of Carica papaya seeds produced reversible antifertility effects in male rats which were dependent on the mode and duration of drug administration.