Decrease in the number of sperm associated with decreased blood testosterone levels in male rats treated with extracts from seven plants consumed by natives of northern Thailand
S. Wanichacheewa et al., Decrease in the number of sperm associated with decreased blood testosterone levels in male rats treated with extracts from seven plants consumed by natives of northern Thailand, ENV TOX PH, 10(1-2), 2001, pp. 1-4
Natives of northern Thailand believe that certain plants preserved in alcoh
ol provide sexual elevation although there is no scientific proof. To ascer
tain whether these plants have any biological effects on reproductive activ
ity, we administered the extracts from seven kinds of plants to male rats.
Treatments with these extracts resulted in a decrease in the number of sper
m associated with decreased serum testosterone levels and an elevation of s
erum prolactin levels. The circulating levels of follicle stimulating hormo
ne were only slightly affected by all extracts, although some extracts sign
ificantly decreased the luteinizing hormone levels. Thus, the extracts may
contain a biologically active substance such as phytoestrogen and lead to a
hormonal imbalance. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.