Abstract
Azadirachta indica (Neem) is known to possess various pharmacological properties and is used worldwide. The present investigation aims to study the effects of methanol and hexane fractions of seed extract of A. indica on fertility in albino rats. Seeds of shade dried matured drupes were powered and methanol and hexane fractions were extracted at 35°C. Mature cyclic female albino rats weighing 135±10 gm were used under standard laboratory conditions. The fractions were tested for their effect on cyclicity, fertility and implantation activity @ 1mg, 3mg and 6mg/kg body weight, orally. The percent occurrence of proestrous was significantly reduced @3mg/ kg bw methanol fraction. There was no significant change in the estrous stage of estrous cycle in all the treatment groups depicting anti-estrogenic nature of fractions. Pre-implantation mortality was high at 3mg/kg bw methanol fraction, post-and total prenatal mortality was high at 3mg/kg bw hexane fraction when administered for 18 days. Not even a single corpus luteum was observed at 6mg/kg bw methanol and hexane fraction treated rats. The average number of embryos was significantly reduced during D1-D7 pc treatment @ 6mg/kg bw of both the fractions as compared to control. Significant increase in post-implantation and total prenatal mortality was observed in methanol and hexane fraction treated rats @ 6mg/kg bw during D7-D18 pc. The average gestation period was increased by 7.5-9 days and litter size, live birth index and average life span of young ones decreased in both the treatment groups. The results indicate that methanol and hexane fractions of seed extract of A. indica possess significant antifertility and anti-implantation activities. The research work on fertility regulating properties of various fractions of A. indica should be continued as it may lead to breakthrough in achieving population control as it is found to interfere with the reproductive potential.
