Effect of Methanol Extract of Carica papaya Seed on Some Hormone Function in Male Albino Rats

In this study, the anti-fertility activity of the methanolic seed extract of Carica papaya was investigated. Phytochemical screening of crude extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins and tannins while anthraquinone and phlobatannins were found to be absent. The study was conducted on 25 healthy male albino rats following oral administration of 100 mg/kg body weight, 200 mg/kg body weight, 400 mg/kg body weight and 800mg/kg body weight methanolic seed extract for the period of 7days. Epididymidal sperm count, total motility and viability, serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone and prolactin were studied. There was a significant pless than0.05 reduction in sperm counts and viability, testosterone and luteinizing hormone as compared to the control group. While there was elevated serum level of follicle stimulating hormone and Prolactin as compared to the control group. These results suggest that methanolic seed extract of Carica papaya posses anti-fertility activities which could impair spermatogenesis, hormonal synthesis and other functions which might lead to infertility.