Fertility Evaluation of Adult Female Wistar Rats Administered with Ethanolic Extract of Pausinystalia yohimbe Stem Bark

Abstract

Pausinystalia yohimbe (P. yohimbe) stem bark powder is commonly used as seasoning for barbecue beef in Nigeria and some West African countries. This study evaluated the effect of ingesting ethanol extract of P. yohimbe stem bark on some hormones and tissues linked with fertility in female Wistar rats. A total of fifteen adult female Wistar rats weighing between 140 - 160g were used for this study after an initial Acute Toxicity test was done to establish a safe dose range of the extract. The animals were randomly divided into three groups of five rats per group. Group 1 served as control and received normal saline while Groups 2 and 3 received 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg body weight (bw) of ethanol extract of P. yohimbe stem bark respectively, via oral gavage, for 21 days. At the end of the treatment period, the rats were weighed, sacrificed and blood, ovary and uterus samples collected for determination of reproductive hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone, estrogen, and progesterone) and histological examination using standard methods. The results showed that LD50 of the ethanol extract for the female Wistar rats was 3807.89 mg/kg bw. There were significant (p˂0.05) increases in body weight, estrogen and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) of the treated groups compared with the control. Histological examination also showed degenerative changes in the uterus of the rats in groups 2 and 3, with no alterations in the ovary when compared to control. These results suggest that continuous consumption of ethanol extract of P. yohimbe stem bark may alter the systemic concentration of estrogen and follicle-stimulating hormone as well as morphology of the uterus which may lead to reduced reproductive function and female infertility.

Effects of Graded Doses of Ethanolic Extract of Pausinystalia Yohimbe Stem Bark on Biochemical and Hematological Indices In the Kidneys of Female Wistar Rats

“…Group 1 (control) received distilled water (vehicle), Groups 2 and 3 received 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg body weight of the ethanol Pausinystalia yohimbe extract respectively via gavages daily for twenty-one ( 21) days. This doses of Pausinystalia yohimbe ethanolic extract given was determined in our previous study [15].…”

“…Previous research has reported the antifertility effect of Pausinystalia yohimbe in both males and females. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Pausinystalia yohimbe were found to disrupt the reproductive system [1,14,15]. These conflicting opinions on the aphrodisiac property of the stem bark have become worrisome especially with the great consumption of the "burantashi" among the populace especially women, young adults, and even children because it greatly attracted public attention and is now a major concern among the populace.…”

“…A decrease in glomerular filtration rate is one way to detect chronic kidney disease. Nephrotoxins are toxic substances such as chemicals, drugs, heavy metals, and immunological complexes that are among the risk factors for chronic kidney disease" [15]. "All of the risk factors seriously disrupt the body's redox balance.…”