Effect of Afghan Chehelghoza(Pinus gerardiana L.) on SpermParameters of Male Rats

Abstract

Infertility has become one of the controversial issues recently that are affected by environmental factors. Of the effective factors in this regard is the plants and its derivatives that each of them has variable effects. The plants with the special chemical substance such as phytosterols could be significantly effective. Chehelghoza is one of the Afghan native plants that contain a special phytosterol named beta sitosterol (BS) that have been proved to decrease the fertility. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats from an inbreed colony were selected. Thirty-two male rats were randomly divided into four groups. Rats in groups 1, 2, 3 received 5, 25, and 50 percent Chehelghoza in their daily food, respectively for 14 days. Rats in group 4 (as the control) received their daily food without Chehelghoza for 14 days. The result of our study showed that different doses of Chehelghoza significantly decrease the sperm motility, sperm count, and TG (Triglyceride) plasma levels. We consider that Chehelghoza containing phytosterol can reduce male fertility factors.