Fertility Suppression by the Fruit Extract of Opuntia elatior in the Male Rat: Possible Extragonadal Action

Plant - derived male antifertility agents need to address the basic requirements of reversibility and fertility suppression without affecting libido. This study was undertaken to evaluate the male antifertility potential of the fruit extract of Opuntia elatior in the male rat and its reversibility. The methanolic extract was administered through oral route (300, 900 mg/kg bw) to male rats for 30 and 60 days, and fertility was assessed by analysing spermatogenesis, sperm count and testosterone levels. Reversibility of fertility suppression was studied by withdrawal of treatment for two weeks and mating with normally cycling virgin females. Sperm count and motility were markedly reduced in both the groups of treated rats, without commensurate decline in serum testosterone levels and testicular hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSDH) activity. Fertility of the treated rats was suppressed when mated with normally cycling virgin female rats without affecting libido. Withdrawal of treatment for two weeks restored the sperm count, testicular HSDH activity, serum testosterone levels and fertility. The methanolic extract of the fruit of O. elatior produces reversible male antifertility effect without affecting the testosterone levels and libido.