Year: 2026 | Month: July | Volume: 16 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 113-124
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260712
Effects of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Stem Bark Extract on Sperm Parameters and Epididymal Histoarchitecture in Male Wistar Rats
Kusum Jain1, Suresh Chandra Joshi2
1Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, Shri Mahaveer College, C-Scheme, Jaipur.
2Professor (Rtd.), Department of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Kusum Jain
ABSTRACT
Background: Pongamia pinnata, commonly referred to as Karanja, is a medicinal plant extensively employed in traditional systems of medicine for managing a variety of ailments.
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the antifertility potential of a 50% ethanolic stem bark extract of P. pinnata by assessing its effects on epididymal morphology, sperm characteristics, and reproductive performance in adult male Wistar rats.
Methods: Twenty-eight healthy adult male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four experimental groups (n = 7 per group). Animals in the control group received only the vehicle, whereas the treatment groups were administered the 50% ethanolic stem bark extract orally at doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg body weight daily for 60 consecutive days. Following the treatment period, epididymal weights were determined, and the tissues were processed for histopathological and histomorphometric evaluation. In addition, sperm parameters and fertility outcomes were assessed.
Results: Treatment with the stem bark extract produced a dose-dependent decline in epididymal weight, epithelial cell height of the cauda epididymis, and sperm indices, including sperm count, motility, and viability, when compared with the control group. Reproductive performance was also markedly impaired, as evidenced by significant reductions in fertility index and litter size. Histological examination further demonstrated degenerative changes in the epididymal tissue, indicating structural damage associated with extract administration.
Conclusion: Prolonged oral administration of the 50% ethanolic stem bark extract of P. pinnata adversely affected epididymal architecture and function, leading to compromised sperm quality and reduced fertility in male rats. These findings suggest that the stem bark extract possesses promising male antifertility activity and may serve as a potential source for the development of plant-derived male contraceptive agents.
Key words: Antifertility; sperm parameter; Pongamia pinnata; epididymis; litter size