AIMTo study the contraceptive effect of the crude extracts of Curcuma longa in male albino rats.

METHODSRats were fed orally with Curcuma longa aqueous and 70% alcoholic extract for 60 days (500 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)).

RESULTSA reduction in sperm motility and density was observed in both the treated groups.

CONCLUSIONCurcuma longa may have affected the androgen synthesis either by inhibiting the Leydig cell function or the hypothalamus pituitary axis and as a result, spermatogenesis is arrested.

Animals ; Contraceptive Agents, Male ; pharmacology ; Curcuma ; chemistry ; Epididymis ; anatomy & histology ; Leydig Cells ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Seminiferous Tubules ; ultrastructure ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Testis ; anatomy & histology