Alireza KHALILARIA, Masoumeh MAHMOUDI, Mahmoud GHAZI-KHANSARI, Lida JABBARI, Mohsen MOROVATI

Sterility effect of the commercial neem extract NeemAzal-T/S® (Azadirachta indica A. Jus.) on male rats (Rattus norvegicus

Numerous studies with experimental animals have shown that neem seed extracts have transient and reversible effects on sterility. NeemAzal-T/S® (1%) was fed to 3 experimental animal groups via stomach intubation (5, 15, and 25 mg/kg) for 6 days and the control group was given only tap water. Hematological parameters were determined on the 4th and 9th days of the experiment. Hemoglobin and MCH levels showed an increase in group 3 on the 4th day, as compared with the control group, and there were no significant differences in the other parameters between these groups, whereas on the 9th day hemoglobin, MCH levels, and WBC count were significantly higher in group 3 than in the control group. Other parameters, including testosterone level, were not significantly different between the experimental groups and the control group. Histopathological changes showed disruption to spermatogenesis in some seminiferous tubules. These changes included derangement of the first layer of spermatogonial cells and necrotic spermatocytes. The time lapse for pregnancy in groups 1, 2, and 3 was 50, 60, and 90 days, respectively, which may have been due to these alterations. It is concluded that NeemAzal-T/S® can be used as a safe sterility agent for the control of rodent pests, and that the most effective dose to cause this sterility and delay reproduction is between 15 and 25 mg/kg.

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