The Effect of Hexane Extract of Azadirachta indica Leaves On testicular Sperm Reserve in Mice

Abstract

The 50% lethal dose (LD₅₀) of hexane leaf extract of A. indica solubilized in 10% tween 20 was determined as 182mg/kg body weight. 25 adult male albino mice (34.1-53) were randomly divided into five groups containing five mice each. The mice in groups I-IV were given graded doses of the extract @ 1.7, 3.3, 6.7 and 8.33mg/kg body weight respectively by intraperitoneal route. They were treated 3 times a week for 4 consecutive weeks. Group V mice, which served as control received corresponding volumes of 10% tween 20 solutions. The animals were weighed, sacrificed and the testes weighed. The left testis was macerated in 2mls of semen diluting fluid until a homogenous mixture was formed. Improved Neubauer’s chamber was used to determine the testicular sperm reserve. The right testis, liver, kidney and spleen were routinely prepared for light microscopy. The control mice had significantly higher (P<0.05) testicular sperm reserve than the treatment group mice, which received the highest dose of the extract. Changes in the structure of testes and other viscera were not observed. These results suggest that intraperitoneal injection of the extract reduced testicular sperm reserve in mice in a dose dependent manner.