Antifertility Activity of Ethanolic Seed Extract of Celery (Apium graveolensL.) in Male Albino Rats

Objectives:This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of ethanolic seed extract of Apium aveolens L.(Apiaceae)(ESEAG) on male rat fertility.Methods:Two doses of the extract (425 and 213 mg/kg body weight)were administered by oral gavage for sixty consecutive days. Five days before the end of this period, each ratwas cohabited with two female rats. Fertility indices, hematology, and organ weight and histology were thenassessed. Results:The ESEAG arrested spermatogenesis and caused a marked, dose-dependent decrease insperm count, cauda epididymal sperm motility, blood testosterone concentration, weight of testes and seminalvesicles, testicular protein contentas well as diameter and viability of seminiferous tubules.In addition, a lowernumber and weight of viable fetuses was obtained for female rats which were impregnated by ESEAG-treatedmale rats. Hematological parameters, serum liver enzyme levels, thyroid weight and liver and kidneyhistoarchitecture were not affected. Conclusion:This study shows a dose-dependent antifertility effect of theESEAG in male rats without toxic effects on other body organs