Effect of the Steroidal Extract of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) Seeds on some aspects of Reproductive functions in Male Mice

Abstract

The current study was designed to determine the role of effective dose of steroidal extract of Trigonella foenum graecum to produce infertility on male reproductive mice and compared with the effect of administered estrogen in mice. Thirty adult male mice 8-10 weeks old and their weight ranged between 25-35 gm were randomly divided into 3 equal groups 10 mice for each group. 100 mg/ kg B.W. of steroidal extract of fenugreek was administered orally to the first treated group (T1) daily for 38 days, where as 10 μg/ kg B.W. of estrogen was drenched orally (T2), and Control group was daily received ethyl acetate 20% orally. The results of the current study showed significant decrease (P<0.05) in body weight changes of group (T1) treated with 100 mg/ kg B.W. steroidal extract of fenugreek as compared with control group, while the group treated with 10 μg/ kg B.W. of estrogen (T2) revealed significant increase (P<0.05) in body weight changes in comparison with control group. It has been also recorded significant decrease (P<0.05) in testicular weight for both T1 and T2 as compared with control. The results of this study illustrated also significant decrease (P<0.05) in sperms viability percentages in both T1 and T2 as compared with control. The results of this study registered significant decrease (P<0.05) in both T1 and T2 groups in the following parameters (sperm concentration, testosterone hormone levels) when compared with control. It could be concluded that the steroidal extract of fenugreek seeds causes a significant infertility effects on male reproductive system of the mice.