Published Paper Details:

In order to create a reversible male contraceptive, it is necessary to assess the antifertility activity of Maytenus emarginata leaves extract. Male Wistar rats were given oral administration of a 50% methanolic extract of Maytenus emarginata leaves at three separate doses: 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg b.wt/day for 60 days. The fertility test was performed and pregnant female with litter number recorded. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) of testis tissue was performed with primary antibody GATA-4. The expression of GATA-4 in testis declined in dose dependent manner of the treatment. For isolation of Leydig and Sertoli cells from adult rats used collagenase enzyme digestion method. The numbers of both Sertoli and Leydig cells reduced significantly after the treatment. Data showed that pregnant female and litter number were declined signi?cantly, followed to decrease fertility. It can be concluded that oral administration of Maytenus emarginata leaves extract caused affects spermatogenesis and fertility in treated rats might be due to antiandrogenic nature of treatment.