Effect of the crude extract of the root of Rauwolfia vomitoria on the reproduction of female albino rats (Rattus norveciicus).
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Date
1993
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Abstract
The effect of four different concentrations of the decoction prepared from the roots of Rauwolfia vomitoria on oestrous cycle, fertilization, implantation, ovulation rate, ova/foetal losses, teratogenicity, foetotoxicity and hormone- induced infertility were evaluated in female albino rats. The decoction in concentrations up to 8 times larger than the estimated corresponding concentration used by humans were administered to the rats orally. The results obtained showed that the different concentrations of the decoction did not have any adverse effects on any of the above-mentioned processes of reproduction and did not induce any effects that could be taken as evidence of teratogenicity or foetotoxicity. The different concentrations of the decoction did not reverse the condition of infertility that was induced hormonally in the rats. There was a significant weight gain by pups of dams that received the higher concentrations of the decoction. These findings suggest that the root of R. vomitoria as used in Ghanaian folk medicine does not cure infertility, neither does it have any adverse effects on reproduction and foetal development.
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A Thesis submitted to the Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science
for the degree of Master of Philosophy.