Effect of Melia azedarach on The Reproductive Efficiency in Female Rabbits

Abstract

Various types of contraceptives were developed. These contraceptives are prepared from natural as well as synthetic sources. The study was conducted on 15 mature adult females, and males of rabbits.10 from each female and male rabbits were treated with Melia azedarach in powder form at a dose rate of 6 g / kg b.wt. orally mixed with feed daily for 53days, the remaining 5 from each of female and male rabbits remain non treated. In 28th day post exposure to Melia; the animals were divided into 3 groups. Group I represented females non treated with plant crossed with treated males. Group II represented treated females crossed with non treated males. Group III represented non treated females crossed with non treated males. The mixing continued for 10 days. All females were examined for pregnancy by sonar weekly. At 56th day post treatment with plant 3 females from each group were killed, while others 2 female rabbits were left till birth. Size, weight and characters of naturally birthed fetuses and those found during explore the uterine horns of killed rabbits were fixed. Other dependent parameters in this study were hematological and some of constituents of serum. The results of the study revealed a non significant decrease in body weight, body temperature, heart rates, respiratory rate, clotting time and bleeding time. Erythrocytes counts, PCV, MCV values were not significantly increased in treated group, while in non treated group these were not significantly decreased. Hb, MCH, MCHC were not significantly changed in both groups. Total leucocytes count in treated group were decreased, whilst increased in non treated group. Heterophils% were decreased in treated group. Lymphocytes percentage in treated group were increased, on other hand monocytes, eosinophil and basophils percentages did not show any significant changes. The results revealed that infertility index was 0, 20 and 100% in group I, II and III respectively. Significant decrease in numbers, body weight, body length and width of skull of fetuses from females treated with extract of Melia, and those crossed with treated male in comparison with those of non treated females and males. The results revealed that treatment with Melia extract for 53 days did not affect the length of pregnancy in female treated with Melia extract. The results revealed that levels of ALT, AST and AP were higher in treated females in comparison with those of non treated rabbits. Values of FSH, LH, Prolactin and testosterone were less than normal levels.