Effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on F1 generation of male Wistar rats during fetogenesis

Incidence of endocrine disruptors on gonadal development is the cause of many anomalies in the male reproductive system (MRS). Ginkgo biloba is an endocrine disruptor with affinity for β estrogen receptors, which exert an important role in the development of MRS. This study evaluated the effects of G. biloba on the reproductive system of F1 males born to mothers exposed to G. biloba during fetogenesis. Pregnant Wistar rats received, by gavage, 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg/day of G. biloba from the 16th to 20th day of pregnancy. The testicular descent, morphology of the glans penis, sperm concentration, organ weights, testosterone serum concentration, and the structural organization of testicular and epididymal tissues remained unchanged. However, there was an increase in the number of abnormal sperm in all G. biloba-treated groups. These results indicate that G. biloba does not promote maternal toxicity and does not interfere with the fetal and postnatal development and age of puberty onset, but induces the increase of sperm abnormalities. Key words: Ginkgo biloba, sperm abnormality, fetogenesis, estrogen receptor, rat.