Abstract

DETERMINATION OF SPERMICIDAL ACTIVITY OF PLANT EXTRACT ON GOAT SEMEN

*Dr. Mrunal Ghag Sawant, Dr. Nilesh R. Dagli, Sheetal S. Shetty and Dr. Prof. Abhay Chowdhary

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Abstract

Fertility control is an issue of global & national public health concern. The traditional use of medicinal plants to treat different sorts of disease, including anti-fertility, is widespread throughout the world as many plant substances are known for their interference with male reproductive system. Approximately 50% of all pregnancies are unintended at conception; 50% of those occur in the 94% of sexually active couples who report using some method of contraception. The only male-specific contraceptive methods currently available are withdrawal, condoms and vasectomy. As concerns regarding side effects and inconvenience of the existing methods of contraception (both female and male) prevent their universal acceptance, the development of additional male methods of fertility control can provide tremendous social and public health benefits. Tests on goat semen were done using Mentha arvensis & Momordica charantia. Mass activity and Initial Motility assays as well as live and dead percentages of number of sperms in the semen sample were determined. Hypo-osmotic swelling test was also carried out. It was observed that the plant extracts change the plasma membrane integrity of the sperms and lead to their death. Thus, the plant extracts show spermicidal activity. Further research should be carried out to develop herbal contraceptives from Mentha arvensis Linn. and Momordica charantia.

Keywords: Spermicidal activity, Mass Activity, Motility, Hypo-osmotic, Herbal contraceptives.