Studies on Spermatotoxic Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Capparis aphylla (Roth)

Ethanol extract of Capparis aphylla was evaluated for possible spermatotoxic effect in 90 days old male rat. The ethanol extract at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg kg super(-1) of body weight was administered intra peritonially for 55 days. The analysis consists of counts, motility and abnormalities of the cauda epididymal sperm adapting light microscopy. The fertility of the treated rats was reduced drastically. The sperm concentration in the epididymis and sperm motility decreased, whereas sperm abnormalities increased in particular sperm abnormalities like flexed head, detached head and coiling of end tail. In extract treated rat the duration of sperm motility reduced with respect to the increased dose level. The results indicate disruption of the spermatogenic as well as androgenic compartment of the testis by the ethanolic extract of C. aphylla. The results also reflect an alteration of epididymal function towards the post-testicular sperm maturation processes by C. aphylla.