Rahmati B, Ghosian Moghaddam MH, Khalili M, Enayati E, Maleki M, Rezaeei S. Effect of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal on Sex Hormone and Gonadotropin Levels in Addicted Male Rats.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FERTILITY & STERILITY 2016;
10:239-44. [PMID:
27441058 PMCID:
PMC4948077 DOI:
10.22074/ijfs.2016.4915]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2015] [Accepted: 11/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Background
Opioid consumption has been widely increasing across the globe; how-
ever, it can cause adverse effects on the body. Morphine, an opioid, can reduce sex hor-
mones and fertility. Withania somnifera (WS) is a traditional herb used to improve sexual
activities. This study strives to investigate the effect of WS on sex hormones and gonado-
tropins in addicted male rats.
Materials and Methods
In this experimental study, forty-eight male National Maritime
Research Institute (NMRI) rats were randomly divided into four groups: i. Control group,
ii. WS-treated control group, iii. Addicted group, and iv. WS-treated addicted group. Wa-
ter-soluble morphine was given to rats for 21 days to induce addiction, concurrently the
treated groups (2 and 4) also received WS plant-mixed pelleted food (6.25%). At the end
of the treatment, the sex hormone and gonadotropin levels of the rats’ sera were deter-
mined in all the groups.
Results
Except for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), morphine reduced most of the
gonadotropin and sex hormone levels. Whereas WS caused a considerable increase in
the hormones in the treated addicted group, there was only a slight increase in the treated
control group.
Conclusion
WS increased sex hormones and gonadotropins-especially testosterone, es-
trogen, and luteinizing hormone-in the addicted male rats and even increased the proges-
terone level, a stimulant of most sex hormones in addicted male rats.
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