Antifertility effects of Pueraria tuberosa root extract in male rats

Oral administration of Pueraria tuberosa D.C. root extract to male rats (100 mg/rat per day) for the period of 60 days did not cause body weight loss, whereas the weights of testes, epididymides, seminal vesicle, and ventral prostate were significantly reduced. The production of step-19 spermatids was reduced by 63.7% in P. tuberosa-treated rats. The population of preleptotene spermatocytes and secondary spermatocytes were decreased by 61 and 72%, respectively. The seminiferous and Leydig cell nuclear area were reduced significantly (p < 0.001) when compared to controls. The number of mature Leydig cells was significantly reduced. Treated rats showed significant (p < 0.001) reduction in the sperm concentration of testes and cauda epididymides. The sperm motility of the cauda epididymides was also reduced significantly (p < 0.001). The Pueraria treatment reduced the fertility of male rats by 100%. A significant fall in the total protein and sialic acid contents of the testes, epididymides, seminal vesicle, and ventral prostate as well as glycogen contents of testes was also observed. Fructose in seminal vesicle was lowered non-significantly, whereas testicular cholesterol was elevated in comparison to controls.