The Effect of Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Celery on Male Rats in Fertility Control and Sex Ratio of Rat Offspring

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Celery (Apium graveolens), in traditional medicine is known as appetite and libido stimulant, and also there has been referred to its effect on miscarriage and catamenia. This plant with known plant compounds could be an option for fertility control. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of celery on male rats in fertility control and sex ratio of rat offspring. METHODS: In this experimental study, 20 male rats were divided randomly into 4 groups, 5 in each group. Control group received no treatment; Sham group received 1 ml normal saline and the treatment groups 1 and 2 received hydro-alcoholic extract of celery in doses of 100 and 200 mg/Kg/BW respectively for 5 weeks. After mating each male rat with two female rats, the number of delivered mice and the number of offspring and their sex were recorded and compared 30 days after the birth. FINDINGS: There was no significance difference between the experimental and control group (p>0.05). The result showed a significant decrease in the number of offspring in doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg (4.25±0.25 and 4.50±0.32 respectively) compared to the control group (7.11±0.26), also a significant increase in the sex ratio in dose of 100 mg/kg (2.93±0.30) compared to the control group (0.98±0.11) was observed (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: It seems that consumption of celery in male decreases the number of offspring and increases the male genesis; because it does not affect on childbirth. It may be useful safely in pregnancy controlling. © 2014, Babol University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.