The Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Terfezia Boudieri on Sperm Parameters and Testosterone Levels in Rats

• Main Authors: Eslam Zabihi, Seeyedeghbal Motavalli bashi, Pirooz Pourmohammad, Ali Abedi
• Format: Article
• Language: fas
• Published: Ardabil University of Medical Sciences 2017-07-01
• Series: Journal of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences
• Subjects: Terfezia Boudieri; Testosterone; Sperm motility; Rat
• Online Access: http://jarums.arums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-607-64&slc_lang=en&sid=1

Background & objectives: Terfezia Boudieri (TB) has been used as a sexual stimulant for men in traditional medicine. TB containing fatty acid, flavonoids, beta-carotene, minerals and antioxidants such as, catechin, therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Terfezia Boudieri on sperm and testosterone levels in male rats. Methods: In this study, 21 adult male Wistar rats, each weighing approximately 250&plusmn;20g, were randomly divided into three groups (n=7). The first group (control) with no treatment, the second group (sham group) received normal saline (extract solvent) and the third group, was injected intraperitoneally (IP) with 105 mg / kg of methanolic extract of Terfezia boudieri (TBME) (0.2 ml) for 21 days. The blood samples were collected to determine the concentration of testosterone and&nbsp; finally, the weight and size&nbsp; of the testicles and epididymis, the number and the&nbsp; percentage of sperm moving were evaluated Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Turkey's post- hoc tests. Results: The results of the present study showed that serum levels of testosterone, body weight of rat, testis weight , sperm count and&nbsp; sperm motility in the experimental group were significantly increased compared with the control group (p<0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that TB at 105 mg/kg dosage can increase the levels of testosterone and improve sperm parameters and therefore, TB can be used to treat sexual impotence and infertility in males.