Post-testicular antifertility effects of Abrus precatorius seed extract in albino rats.

Oral administration of a 50% ethanol extract of Abrus precatorius seeds (250 mg/kg) in albino rats for 30 and 60 days induced an absolute infertility in males which was reversible. Suppression of sperm motility in the cauda epididymis was the most pronounced effect of the treatment. Such treatment may affect the oxidative/energy metabolism of the cauda epididymis. Histological and histocytometric observations in testis and parareproductive tissues appeared normal while the protein, sialic acid, acid phosphatase and succinic dehydrogenase levels were significantly depleted.