The Effect of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza Glabra) Extract on Sperm Parameters and Plasma Level of Testosterone in Male Rats

Subject Areas : Journal of Animal Biology

Seidmohammadreza seidtaj ¹ , Mohamadreza Attarnosrati ²

1 - Department of Veterinary Medicine, Shabestar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shabestar, Iran
2 - Department of Animal Sciences, Shabestar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shabestar, Iran

Received: 2022-09-14 Accepted : 2023-01-08 Published : 2023-08-23

Keywords: Testosterone, Fertility, Rats, Licorice extract,

Abstract :

Glycyrrhiza Glabra is a Mediterranean perennial plant that its extract has glucose, asparagine, albumin materials, flavonoids, antioxidants, resins and so on, due to the presence of important medical and nutritional compounds, it has been considered by pharmaceutical and food industries. On the other hand, the existence of numerous therapeutic effects of licorice, as well as the identification of the potential protective role of licorice against Covid-19 disease and the increase in its consumption, increases the importance of investigating the effects of licorice consumption on other body systems. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Glycyrrhiza glabra extract on sperm parameters and blood testosterone levels in male rate. Twenty-eight adult male rats, ranging in weight from 180 to 200 g were divided into four groups include control and three treatment groups which every group received 100, 200 or 300 doses of alcoholic extract by gavage daily for 10 days. The results of this study showed that the oral consumption of alcoholic extract of licorice plant at the rate 100 and 200 mg per body weight had no significant effect on sperm parameters and serum testosterone levels (p > 0.05) and only consumption of 300 mg/kg of body weight caused a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the average number of live sperms and their motility, as well as a significant decrease in the serum level of testosterone was observed in this dose (p < 0.05). But there was no significant effect on the weight of the testicles and the weight of the rats (p > 0.05). It seems that consuming high amounts of licorice extract has fertility-reducing effects in male rats, and this effect can be caused by the reduction of plasma testosterone.

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