Evaluation of Dietary Turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn.) Supplement for Fecundity in Female Wistar Rats
Tumeric and Female Fecundity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1071/ejmbs.v4i2.17Keywords:
corpora lutea, fecundity markers, foetal indices, gestation, uterine implantAbstract
Plants have a long-time history in medicine and turmeric is named among the wonder plants with numerous pharmacological properties. Due to inadequacies in healthcare and high cost of managing infertility especially in the developing countries, it has become crucial to source for biologically active fertility agents from plants which are safe and can interfere with the natural process of reproduction. It is on this premise and the paucity of information on fertility effect of turmeric that this study was designed to ascertain if turmeric supplement can enhance the fecundity of females using Wistar rat as model. Fifteen sexually mature female rats with regular oestrous cycle were randomly divided into 3 groups (5 rats per group) and treated by oral gavage daily for two weeks and throughout the period of mating as follows; Group 1 (Control) = 1ml of distilled water, Group 2 = 250 mg/kg turmeric and Group 3 = 500 mg/kg turmeric. For mating, proven male rats were paired with the females in the ratio of 1:1 and confirmation of mating was designated as gestation day (GD) 0. On GD 20, laparotomy was done to assess the fecundity markers - total number of uterine implants, corpora lutea and viable pups as well as the foetal indices – foetal crown-rump length and weight. Turmeric produced no significant (p> 0.05) effect on the fecundity markers and foetal indices relative to the control. It is concluded that turmeric supplement has no effect on female fecundity at the doses and duration used in this study. Turmeric may therefore not be a pro-fertility herb.
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