Effects of Actiniopteris dichotoma (SW.) on Reproductive Function of Male Rat

Oral administration of Actiniopteris dichotoma (whole plant) crude extract (50% ethanol) and its isolated chromatographic fraction 50:50 (CHCl₃:CH₃OH) at the dose level of 50 mg/kg b.wt/day for 60 days, induced infertility in male rats. The reduction in fertility is coincided with suppressed sperm production and reduced sperm motility. The treatment caused degeneration and vacuolation in spermatogenic cells and reduced seminiferous tubule dimensions. The spermatids were declined by 98.0% and 95.6%. A marl<ed diminition in the germ cell population specially step-19 spermatids and mature Leydig cell number was noticed. Probable androgen deprivation could be explained by decreased testicular glycogen, protein and sialic acid contents. Reversibility could be achieved after 8-10 weeks of cessation of the treatment. A. dichotoma can be used to develop a safe male contraceptive pill.