Effect of Lepidium meyenii (maca) roots on spermatogenesis of male rats
- Author:
Gonzales F. GUSTAVO
1
;
Ruiz ANA
;
Gonzales CARLA
;
Villegas LEON
;
Cordova AMANDA
Author Information
1. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
- Keywords:
spermatogenesis;
Lepidium meyenii;
maca;
transillumination
- From:
Asian Journal of Andrology
2001;3(3):231-233
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Aim: To determine the effect of oral administration of an aqueous extract from the roots of Lepidium meyenii (maca)on spermatogenesis in adult male rats. Methods: Male rats received an aqueous extract of the root (66.7 mg in one mL) twice a day for 14 consecutive days. Results: Treatment with Lepidium meyenii resulted in an increase in the weights of testis and epididymis but not the seminal vesicle weight. The length and frequency of stages IX-XIV seminiferous tubules, where mitosis occurred, were increased and stages Ⅰ-Ⅵ were reduced in rats treated with Lepidium meyenii. Conclusion: The Lepidium meyenii root invigorates spermatogenesis in male rats by acting on its initial stages (IX-XIV).
