Effect of Summer Savory (Satureja Hortensis L.) on the Concentration of Gonadotropins and Testosterone in Male Rats Exposed to Chronic Immobilization Stress

Summer savory- Satureja hortensis L. is from Lamiaceae family and has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic properties. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Summer Savory leaves on the level of LH, FSH and testosterone in male rats exposed to chronic immobilization stress.
Material and This study was conducted experimentally. 48 adult male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups including: Control, Stress, Savory 200, Savory 400, Stress-Savory 200, and Stress-Savory 400. Groups 2, 5, and 6 were placed into restrainer for 6hours per day during 21 consecutive days and groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 were gavaged by hydro-alcoholic extract of Summer Savory with different doses of 200,400mg/kg during 21consecutive days. The level of LH, FSH and testosterone were measured by the end of period.
Chronic Immobilization caused significant decrease in serum concentrations of LH (p It is concluded that the Satureja hortensis extract may stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and prevents stress-induced reproductive damages.