Abstract
Chronic administration of Momordica charantia L. fruit extract (1.75 g/day oral for 60 days) caused testicular lesions resulting in a mass atrophy of the spermatogenic elements. 75 + 8.9 % of the seminiferous tubules completely lacked step 1–8 spermatid. M. charantia fruit extract administration reduced the contents of RNA, protein, sialic acid and acid–phosphatase enzyme activity of the testes, whereas the cholesterol contents of the testes were elevated. Serum enzymes (SGPT, alkaline, acid phosphatase), serum protein, cholesterol, bilirubin, phospholipids, triglycérides, free cholesterol, creatine phosphate, blood sugar, blood urea levels were in normal range. Non esterified fatty acid levels were elevated. Hematological studies did not reveal any deviation from the normal range except a slight rise in total leucocyte count. In conclusion M. charantia fruit extract administration induced an infertility state without altering general metabolic activities.
Key Word Index
Momordica charantia - Testicular function
