Pre-Implantation Effects of the Root Bark of Adansonia Digitata Linn in Female Wistar rats

To investigate the pre-implantation effects of Adansonia digitata root bark extract, which is used traditionally for antifertility purposes and known to have uterotropic effects. Four groups, comprised of twelve (12) pregnant Wistar rats ranging from 2-3 months received 2000 mg/kg, 1500 mg/kg, 1000mg/kg, and 0mg/kg body weight of the crude ethanol extract of Adansonia digitata respectively at different timings: at post coital days 1-3, 3-5 and 5-7. On the tenth day, all rats were sacrificed. Implantation sites and number of corpus lutei on the uterus and ovaries respectively were noted counted and expressed as Pre-implantation loss, while morphemetric and histologic parameters of the adrenal gland, pituitary gland and uterus were also analyzed. Only the extract at 2000mg/kg body weight produced a significant (p < 0.05) preimplantation loss effect of 21.77 ? 3.92%. There was a highly significant dose dependent decrease in adrenal weights (p < 0.01) which corresponded with preimplantation loss. The time of treatment had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on pituitary weight and number of implantation sites and these corresponded with decrease in adrenal weight. Histopathology revealed cell vacuolation and cell deletion of the adrenal cortex, as well as congestion and edema of the endometrium in treated rats. Preimplantation embryo loss effect of the extract could have been secondary to its dysregulation of the HPA hormonal homeostasis and mineralocorticoid-like activity that caused congestion, edema and distortion of implantation site matrix.