Effects of the alcoholic extract of Ruta graveolens on spermatogenesis and sex hormones in immature Balb/C mice

No special information has been reported about anti-fertility effect of Ruta graveolens. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Ruta graveolens alcoholic extract on fertility of male mice and its contraceptive effects. 30 immature male Balb/C mice were allocated to three groups of intact control, vehicle, and Ruta graveolens treatment that received Ruta extract. A single sub-LD50 300 mg/kg dose of alcoholic extract of the plant was injected intraperitoneally, every day for a week. A month after the last injection, the animals were deeply anesthetized and dissected. Blood was collected intracardially for hormonal assay. The testes were extruded, weighed and then fixed for histological studies. Administration of 300 mg/kg Ruta graveolens showed no significant changes in weight of testis, but induced a significant decrease in number of type A spermatogonia (df: 2, 27; F=6.51; p=0.005) and number of spermatid cells (df: 2, 27; F=4.28; p=0.02) compared to control. Four weeks after injection of Ruta graveolens serum, testosterone level (df: 2, 27; F=3.43; p=0.047) significantly decreased compared to control animals. However, there were no significant changes in serum follicle stimulating hormone (df: 2, 27; F=3.34; p=0.051) and luteal hormone (df: 2, 27; F=0.15; p=0.87) levels. The results indicated that alcoholic extract of Ruta graveolens diminishes the activity of male reproductive system by reducing spermatogonia and spermatids, but has no effect on serum level of follicle stimulating hormone and luteal hormone, and might be a useful substance for birth control; however, further studies are suggested.