Antifertility effect of ethanolic extract of Amalakyadi churna in male albino mice

Aim: To evaluate the antifertility activity of the ethanolic extract of Amalakyadi churna by oral administration in male albino mice. Methods: The ethanol extract of Amalakyadi churna at the dose of 250 mg/kg and 400 mg/ kg body weight was administered orally for 30 days to adult male mice. On day 31, the mice were sacrificed and the testis and accessory reproductive organs were removed and weighed. The organs were processed for biochemical estimation and histological work. Results: Treatment with Amalakyadi churna resulted in decrease in the weights of testis and accessory reproductive organs. The diameters of testis, seminiferous tubules and Leydig cell nucleus were decreased. The spermatogenic elements, like spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids in the testis were reduced significantly as well as the sperm count in cauda epididymis. There was a significant reduction in the protein, glycogen, DNA and RNA contents and the activity of acid phosphatase in the testis of extract treated mice compared with the control. The cholesterol content and the alkaline phophatase activity were increased significantly in treated mice. Conclusion: Amalakyadi churna extract arrests spermatogenesis in male mice without noticeable side effects.