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).

Aim: The present study was designed to determine the effect of a 4-month oral treatment with tablets of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on seminal analysis in nine adult normal men aged 24 - 44 years old. Methods: Nine men received tablets of Maca (1500 or 3000 mg/day) for 4 months. Seminal analysis was performed according to guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO). Serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL), testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) were measured before and after treatment. Results: Treatment with Maca resulted in increased seminal volume, sperm count per ejaculum, motile sperm count, and sperm motility. Serum hormone levels were not modified with Maca treatment. Increase of sperm count was not related to dose of Maca.Conclusion: Maca improved sperm production and sperm motility by mechanisms not related to LH, FSH, PRL, T and E2 .

INTRODUCTION: Women in the perimenopausal period experience the height of menopausal symptoms due to the fluctuating levels of hormones because of ovarian dysfunction. This study aimed to determine the effect of cinnamon tea on menopausal symptoms among perimenopausal women. METHODS: Perimenopausal women from Cainta, Rizal were recruited using cluster sampling and were randomly allocated into cinnamon tea or black tea groups. All participants were instructed to consume one tea bag once a day for 28 days. A response survey was conducted by the researchers using the Menopausal Rating Scale questionnaire every 2 weeks during the 28-day period to assess the number and severity of symptoms associated with perimenopausal stage. RESULTS: The Menopausal Rating Scale scores of both cinnamon and placebo groups showed a statistically significant decrease in the number and severity of symptoms over time within groups. However, there was greater decrease in symptom number and severity among the cinnamon tea group and the difference was significant. CONCLUSION Cinnamon tea resulted in a decrease in the severity of perimenopausal symptoms and maybe an effective, economical and accessible alternative treatment for perimenopausal symptoms.