Carica Papaya modulates the organ histology, biochemicals, estrous cycle and fertility of Bandicota bengalensis rats

ABSTRACT

The present study is the first record of the effect of cereal bait formulated with papaya seed powder (PSP) on reproductive functions of female Bandicota bengalensis. Treatment baits prepared using WSO (wheat, sugar, oil mix) bait and PSP in ratios 97:3, 95:5 and 90:10 were fed to three groups of rats for 30 days in no-choice with one group as untreated control. The average weight of rats used was 235 g. Rats were evaluated immediately and after 30 days of treatment withdrawal. Acceptance of treatment baits by different groups was 79.06–89.45%, leading to the ingestion of 68.36–186.23 g/kg bwt of PSP. Results revealed significant (P < .05) anti-fertility effects of 10% PSP based bait in the reduction in the relative weight of the uterus; the number of primordial and pre-antral ovarian follicles, breeding success, litter size, duration of the estrous stage, and prolongation of proestrous and diestrous stages further indicated by significantly (P < .05) reduced levels of estradiol, 17β-HSD, ACP and ALP. The present study revealed anti-reproductive effects of 10% PSP-based cereal bait, which were recovered after 30 days of treatment withdrawal, thus suggesting further studies using higher concentrations of PSP for long-term irreversible effects.

KEYWORDS:

• Bandicota bengalensis
• Carica papaya
• estrous cycle
• histomorphology
• reproduction

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The authors are thankful to the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology for providing research facilities in the form of FIST (Fund for Improvement of S & T Infrastructure) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi for providing the financial assistance to conduct present studies.