Abstract

This study was undertaken to study the effect of Fumaria parviflora alcoholic extract on male rat spermatogenesis. F. parviflora was administered orally at doses of 750 and 1050 mg/kg b.w. for 3 days and 250 mg/kg b.w. for 5 days through oral gavage. Experimental and control rats were sacrificed on day fifteenth after the first gavage. The testes were removed and analyzed. The weight and volume of the testes was increased in experimental groups but these increases were not significant. Moreover histopathological analysis showed thatF. parviflora significantly increased the number of spermatogonium, spermatocytes, spermatozoids and Leydig cells (P<0.001). Also in these groups, formation of blood vessels was obvious. Results of this study indicate positive effect of F. parviflora alcoholic extract on male reproductive system because the number of sexual cells has increased significantly.

Key words: Fumaria parviflora, alcoholic extract, spermatogenesis, fertility.