Authors : Mehrdad Modaresi and Alireza Khodadadi
Abstract: Aloe vera is perennial herbaceous plant of Liliacea family. This plant has many medicinal properties which have made it an important pharmaceutical plant. The effects of hydroalcoholic extract of aloe vera gel on testis tissue and spermatogenesis of mice (Balb/C race) were studied in this study. Samples were divided randomly in 5 groups including control, placebo and 3 treatment groups with 10 members in each group which all groups were kept in similar conditions. Hydro alcoholic extract was prepared in 50, 100 and 200 mg kg-1 doses and was injected in sample’s peritoneum every other day for 20 days. Placebo group received only normal saline. Testosterone, LH and FSH hormones levels and also the number of stem cells, primary spermatocytes and relative testis weight were measured. All hormone tests were done using RIA. Results showed that aloe vera increased the number of stem cells and primary spermatocytes significantly in all treatment groups. Also, significant changes occurred in 3rd experimental group (200 mg kg-1). Testosterone was increased in 3rd group (p<0.05) while LH and FSH hormones did not show any significant changes. According to results, aloe vera extract has positive effect on testosterone and histological properties of testis, dose dependently.
Mehrdad Modaresi and Alireza Khodadadi, 2014. The Effects of Aloe Vera Extract on Spermatogenesis and Reproductive Hormones in Mice. Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 9: 165-168.