Effects of Terminalia catappa seeds on sexual behaviour and fertility of male rats

Aim: To evaluate the aphrodisiac potential of Terminalia catappa Linn. seeds using a suspension of its kernel (SS)in 1% methyl cellulose in rats. Methods: Male rots were orally treated with 1500 mg/kg or 3000 mg/kg SS or ve-hicle, and their sexual behaviour was monitored 3 h later using a receptive female. Another group of rats was orallytreated with either 3000 mg/kg SS or vehicle for 7 consecutive days. Their sexual behaviour and fertility were evaluatedon days 1, 4 and 7 of treatment and day 7 post-treatment by pairing overnight with a pro-oestrous female. Results:The 1500 mg/kg dose, had a marked aphrodisiac action (prolongation of ejaculation latency) but no effect on libido(% mounting, % intromission and % ejaculation), sexual vigour (mounting-and-intromission frequency), or sexualperformance (intercopulatory interval). In contrast, the higher dose (3000 mg/kg) reversibly inhibited all the para?e-ten of sexual behaviour other than mounting-and-intromission frequency and copulatory efficiency. The effects of highdose SS were not due to general toxicity, liver toxicity, haemotoxicity, stress, muscle deficiency, muscle incoordina-fion, analgesia, hypoglycaemia or reduction in blood testosterone level. They were due to marked sedation. Conclu-sion: The kernel of T. catappa seeds has aphrodisiac activity and may be useful in the treatment of certain forms ofsexual inadequacies, such as premature ejaculation.