Fertility enhancing effects of aqueous extract of Rauvolfia vomitoria on reproductive functions of male rats

Objectives: Medicinal plants are of great value in the field of treatment and cure of diseases, beside their strategic value in drug supply. This study has investigated the effects of Rauvolfia vomitoria bark extract on reproductive functions of male rats. Methods: Thirty adult male rats were randomly assigned into 5 groups and orally treated with vehicle, 25, 50, 100, 200 mg/kg body weight per day of Rauvolfia vomitoria aqueous extract for 21 days. At the end of treatment, animals were sacrificed. Hormone and biochemical analysis were done. Testis and accessory organs were removed and weighed. Sperm count, transit and motility were also evaluated. Results: After 21 days of treatment, body weight was slightly reduced dose-dependently. The relative weight of testis significantly increased at high doses (100 and 200 mg/kg), while the relative weight of the prostate and seminal vesicles also significantly increased in all treated animals. The daily sperm production at high doses as well as the sperm count in epididymis and vas deferens at low doses (25 and 50 mg/kg), showed a significant difference between experimental groups and control group. The sperm motility and transit was significantly higher at low doses when compared to control. Testicular and epididymal protein significantly increased at low doses, while the testicular cholesterol significantly increased at all doses when compared to control. The highest effect on testosterone level was observed at the dose of 200 mg/kg of Rauvolfia vomitoria. Conclusion: These results indicate that treatment with the aqueous extract of Rauvolfia vomitoria could improve the fertility of male rats.