Reproductive Responses to Varying Doses of Curcuma longa Extract in Female Wistar Rats

: The popular use of Curcuma longa (turmeric) has been attributed to its several acclaimed health benefits. Thus, the present study aimed toinvestigate the effect of methanolic extract of Curcuma longa on reproductive hormones and fertility in female Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: A total of thirty five (35) Wistar rats weighing between 120-150g were used in the study, 25 female rats were randomly separated into 5 experimental groups of 5 rats each, and ten (10) male rats served the purpose of pairing with the females for the fertility study. Groups one and two received distilled water and Norgestrel + ethinylestradiol 0.21mg/kg respectively. While Groups 3, 4 and 5 were treated with 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg, and 750mg/kg body weight of Curcuma longa rhizome extract respectively. After a 6-week period of experimental study, the animals were sacrificed under standard procedure and blood samples collected and put into properly labeled plain sample bottles which were thereafter centrifuged at 3000 r/min for 10 minutes. The respective sera were then assayed for FSH, LH, oestrogen and progesterone using the Accubind Elisa Microwells (Monobind) method. Quantitative data obtained from the study were subjected to statistical analyses using the statistical package for social sciences version 20.0 tools. Results: The results showed FSH level in group 5(750mg/kg, CL) to be significantly (p<0.05) higher when compared to those of groups 1 and 2. LH levels were also significantly (p<0.05) higher in groups 4 and 5 compared to groups 1 and 2. Progesterone level was significantly (p<0.05) low in groups 3(250mg/kg, CL) and 4(500mg/kg, CL) compared to that of the standard contraceptive treated group (Group 2) but high in group 5 when compared with the control. Oestrogen level was seen to be significantly (p<0.05) low in group 3 compared to those of groups 1 and 2. The outcome on mating success indicated 75%, 100%, 50%, 100%, 100% for groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively and fertility successes of 100%, 0%, 100%, 50%, and 75% for groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Conclusion: The attributes of the extract is suggestive of dual effects on the female reproductive system of the Wistar rats: fertility boosting effect at low dose and a seeming declining fertility success effect at higher dose