Background: Some traditional herbs disrupt endocrine-endometrial synchrony, affecting embryo-endometrium communication during fertility. Hormonal imbalances cause non-receptive conditions, leading to anti-implantation or abortion. Historically, Mentha pulegium has served for contraceptive and abortive purposes. Its effects on the post-coital contraceptive and hormonal activities were evaluated. Methods: Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley female rats were selected based on the presence of copulation plugs and received 200, 500, and 1000 mg/kg of Hydroethanolic leaf extract of Mentha pulegium L. (MPE) for seven days. Reproductive organ weights and serum estrogen and progesterone levels were measured. The resorption index, anti-implantation activity, and pre-implantation loss were also calculated using the number of implantation sites and resorptions in all treatments. Data were presented as mean±standard error mean (SEM), and significance was defined as p<0.05 using one-way ANOVA. Results: Post-coital administration of MPE resulted in resorptive, pre-implantation loss, and anti-implantation activity. A dose of 200 mg/kg reduced the number of implantations and exhibited a high resorption index, percentage pre-implantation loss, and anti-implantation activity. A marked decline in serum progesterone levels and a significant reduction in serum estrogen and progesterone ratio was observed at 200 mg/kg MPE. A significant increase in uterine weight was observed in the 500 mg/kg treatment. Doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg resulted in a significant reduction in anti-implantation activity. Conclusions: The observed anti-implantation activity and pre-implantation loss suggest the abortifacient properties of MPE. However, its effects were seen to be dose-dependent.

Mentha pulegium L. is reported to contain phytochemicals known to bind to estrogen receptors and modulate estrogenic effects. A hydroethanolic leaf extract of Mentha pulegium L. (MPE) was prepared, and its effects on uterine and ovarian tissues in immature rats were investigated, focusing on transcriptional endpoint-related estrogenic activity. Female Sprague Dawley rats were treated with varying doses of MPE alone or in combination with estradiol for seven days. Gene expression analysis was performed using reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to evaluate the effect of MPE on estrogen-responsive biomarkers: Calbindin-D9k (CaBP-9k), Progesterone receptor (Pgr), Trefoil factor 1 (pS2), Intestinal calcium-binding protein integral (Icabp), Integral membrane-associated protein-1 (Itmap1) and Complement component 3 (CC3) genes. In ovarian tissues, MPE treatment decreased CaBP-9k and Icapb expression, with CC3 showing significant decreases in the 200 mg/kg group. Treatments with MPE and estradiol significantly reduced the expression of all estrogen-responsive genes compared to estradiol treatment. In uterine tissues, 1000 mg/kg MPE increased CaBP-9k and pS2 expression significantly but decreased Icapb, CC3, pS2, and Itmap across all treatment groups significantly. Combined estradiol treatment with MPE (500 and 1000) mg/kg showed significantly low CaBP-9k and CC3 expressions. Increased expression of Icapb, Itmap, and pS2 was observed when combined estradiol treatments with MPE (500 and 1000) mg/kg were compared to estradiol treatment. MPE influenced the expression of specific genes in the uterus and ovaries and thus may exhibit endocrine-modulatory activity by multiple mechanisms of action, highlighting its potential complexity in modulating estrogenic responses.

Background: The recent increase in interest in alternative medicine calls for an investigation into the non-target organ effect. Khaya senegalensis is one of such popular plants used to manage malaria in low-income countries. This study therefore aimed at investigating the effect of stem bark extract of Khaya senegalensis (KSE) on the testes (non-target organ) and its related serum hormones. Methods: Grouped mature male rats (n = 4) were treated with 100–1000 mg/kg KSE or distilled water for twenty-eight days. Serum hormones were taken immediately after cervical dislocation, prepared appropriately, and assayed for Testosterone, Luteinizing, and Follicle Stimulating Hormone. The hormones levels were determined using ELISA kits The right testis and epididymis from treated animals were harvested and prepared for histological studies. Results: The result indicated a significant increase ( p = 0.045, 0.038) in the epididymis and serum LH in the 1000 mg/kg KSE, but caused no significant increase in serum FSH and Testosterone ( p > 0.05), in any of the treatment groups. Histological sections of the testes showed mild to moderate degeneration of the spermatogonia and hyalinization (1000 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg) of the seminiferous tubules with reduced spermatogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Khaya senegalensis could have an adverse effect on the morphology of the testis in a dose-dependent manner.

Male infertility is estimated to affect over 30 million men around the world, with a prevalence of 2.5% - 12%. Plants, including Aframomum melegueta, are valued for their nutritive and medicinal properties, particularly on the reproductive system, due to bioactive compounds. This study examined the effects of Aframomum melegueta aqueous seed extract (AMASE) on male reproductive parameters Twenty-five adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (150-190 g) were randomly assigned to five groups (n=5). AMASE was orally administered at doses of 115, 230, 345, and 460 mg/kg daily for 21 days alongside a naïve control group. Blood and reproductive organs were collected post-treatment for hormonal, histological, and sperm quality assessments. Data were analyzed using ANOVA with Dunnett’s post hoc test comparing the various treatments to the naïve control group. Treatment with 345 mg/kg AMASE significantly increased prostate gland weight (p=0.038). Sperm concentration significantly increased in all treated groups, with 345 and 460 mg/kg showing the most pronounced effects (p < 0.0001), while sperm morphology improved significantly at 345 mg/kg (p = 0.0013). Testosterone levels exhibited a biphasic response, with a significant increase at 115 mg/kg (p = 0.0009) and a decline at 460 mg/kg. Histological analysis confirmed preserved testicular structure at 115 and 230 mg/kg, enhanced spermatogenesis at 345 mg/kg, and alterations at 460 mg/kg. Although AMASE exhibited selective activity improving sperm concentration and morphology without affecting motility or viability, it demonstrated promising potential as a fertility-enhancing agent.

Mentha pulegium L. contains phytochemicals known to bind to estrogen receptors and modulate estrogenic effects. The study investigated the effects of Mentha pulegium L. (MPE) on uterine and ovarian tissues in immature rats, focusing on the transcriptional endpoint-related estrogenic activity. Female Sprague Dawley rats were treated with varying doses of MPE alone or in combination with estradiol for seven days. Gene expression analysis was performed using reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to evaluate the effect of MPE on estrogen-responsive biomarkers: Calbindin-D9k (CaBP-9k), Progesterone receptor (Pgr), Trefoil factor 1 (pS2), Intestinal calcium-binding protein integral (Icabp), Integral membrane-associated protein-1 (Itmap1) and Complement component 3 (CC3) genes. In ovarian tissues, MPE treatment down-regulated CaBP-9k and Icapb expression, with CC3 showing significant down-regulation in the 200 mg/kg group. Treatments with MPE and estradiol significantly reduced the expression of all estrogen-responsive genes compared to estradiol treatment. In uterine tissues, 1000 mg/kg MPE up-regulated CaBP-9k and pS2 expression significantly but down-regulated Icapb, CC3, pS2, and Itmap across all treatment groups significantly. Combined estradiol treatment with MPE (500 and 1000) mg/kg showed significantly low CaBP-9k and CC3 expressions. Increased expression of Icapb, Itmap, and pS2 was observed when combined estradiol treatments with MPE (500 and 1000) mg/kg were compared to estradiol treatment. MPE influenced the expression of specific genes in the uterus and ovaries and thus may act as an endocrine disruptor with multiple mechanisms of action, highlighting its potential complexity in modulating estrogenic responses.

Male infertility affects millions worldwide, yet its underlying causes remain incompletely understood. Total round cell concentration (TRCC) in semen, particularly leukocytospermia, has been suggested as a biomarker of impaired sperm function. However, its relationship with sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) remains unclear, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where research is scarce. This study examines the prevalence of elevated TRCC and its associations with semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation among men attending a fertility clinic in Kumasi, Ghana. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 227 men, with semen samples analyzed following WHO guidelines. Sperm concentration, motility, and morphology were assessed, while TRCC was quantified using a Neubauer hemocytometer and light microscopy. Sperm DNA fragmentation was determined using the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay, and multivariate logistic regression models were employed to evaluate associations between TRCC and semen quality parameters. Elevated TRCC was detected in 19.4% of participants. Higher TRCC levels were significantly associated with lower odds of oligozoospermia (c OR = 0.30; 95% CI [0.20, 0.92]; p = .030), a relationship that remained significant after adjusting for confounders (a OR = 0.18; 95% CI [0.05, 0.67]; p = .010). However, TRCC was not significantly associated with asthenozoospermia ( p = .656) or teratozoospermia ( p = .592). Additionally, no correlation was observed between TRCC and sperm DFI ( r = .009, p = .958). It can therefore be concluded that the presence of round cells in semen does not influence sperm DNA integrity.