EFFECT OF HIBISCUS ROSA SINENSIS ON SPERMATOGENESIS AND ACCESSORY REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS IN RATS

Abstract

The oral administration of benzene extract of Hibiscus rosa sinensis flowers (250 mg/kg daily for 30, 45 and 60 days) was found to affect spertnatogenesis as well as the endocrine function of the testis as studied by weight changes, histology and biochemical estimations. The effect of extract on spermatogenesis ranged from mild damage of germinal epithelium to nearly total sloghing depending upon the duration of treatment: Similarly, reduction in weight of the testes, accessory sex organs and pituitary was observed. The alkaline phosphatase in ventral prostate, citric acid content in seminal vesicles and dorsolateral prostate fructose concentration were also reduced. The accessory reproductive organs showed loss of secretory activity while pituitary showed degranulation of gonadotrophs. However, these effects were reversible after discontinuation of treatment. It seems probable that the effects of the drug are mediated via pituitary.