There are very few and speculative studies on the impact of plant products on the female reproductive system and fertility. There has never been a bigger need for contraception from the standpoint of public health.
The present study was conducted to investigate the antifertility effect of APS in two different dose administrations in to female albino rats and showed that the body weight of female rats decreased due to the effects of estrogen and progesterone. In the present study, rats given APS, decreased ovarian, liver and kidney functions. A significant reduction in ovarian reduction in the administration of APS at these dose levels may be due to the absence or reduced availability of ovarian steroid hormones and gonadotropins [16]. The liver weight of APS administrations rats was significantly reduced due to loss of water and glycogen [17]. In the present study, the organ weights of kidneys of the APS administrations rats were significantly decreased from those of the control rats. This may be because some of the bioactive substances in PSA studies have weight loss properties [18]. However, APS causes significant reduction in the weights of liver and kidney, suggesting the risk of acute toxicity [19].
In the estrous cycle study, there was a significant increase in the duration of Proestrus, Estrus, Metestrus and Diestrus in APS rats given both controls. Disruption of the estrous cycle can be caused by APS administration of estrogen/progesterone. Exogenous estrogen (or estrogen-like) causes a decrease in gonadtrophins (FSH, LH) through a negative feedback mechanism. This will cause anovulation and a decrease in the weight of the ovaries [20]. This interruption of the estrous cycle may be due to the effect of APS administration on the ovary which controls the ovarian functions and the estrous cycle through ovarian and extra-ovarian hormones. The diestrous phase is maintained by the activity of the corpus luteum which produces progesterone in the absence of pregnancy and may be responsible for maintaining the diestrous phase [21].
The results of the Hormonal Profile study show the APS administrations in female rats showed a decrease in serum concentrations of FSH, LH, Prolactin and Estradiol and a decrease in progesterone in rats receiving APS compared to control, which showed a significant decrease in FSH, LH and estradiol levels caused a decrease and the number of developing follicles and increased the number of atretic follicles in the ovary [22]. Prolactin levels were significantly increased in the APS administrations compared to the control group. These findings have also been supports that the combination of increased prolactin and suppressed LH secretion is due to the prolongation of the estrus cycle. An imbalance in endogenous estrogen and progesterone levels may be responsible for Anti-implantation activity [23]. Progesterone levels were significantly increased in the APS administrations compared to the control group. APS caused the survival of the corpus luteum and dilated its granulosa lutein cells’ smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) that responds to high secretion of progesterone [24]. Administration of APS increases serum prolactin levels and significantly decreases estradiol, progesterone, FSH and LH. This shows a negative effect on follicle maturation and ovulation and therefore shows that the substance can be used as a contraceptive [25].
The data obtained in the study were based on the effects of APS Administration on ovarian antioxidant enzyme levels in female albino rats showed that MDA was significantly increased in APS Administration rats compared to controls. MDA is an end-product of lipid peroxidation. Lipid peroxidation is known to be the most damaging effect of free radicals on the cell. It has been reported that APS causes oxidative damage in the ovarian tissue, increasing the concentration of MDA [26]. In the ovaries of rats receiving APS, the levels of CAT, SOD, GPx, GR and GST decreased compared to the control group. The over production of oxygen free radicals during ovulation leads to the activities of CAT, SOD, GPx, GR, GST enzymes. These results indicate that the decrease in the level of antioxidant enzymes may be one of the factors that lead to infertility in female rats. Reports show that an increase in the ROS levels is associated with successful ovulation [27].
In our study, the effect of APS Administration on ovary enzymes activity levels in female albino rats showed that ovarian tissue cholesterol and ascorbic acid increased in rats receiving APS. The result of ovarian stimulation with some gonadotrophic hormones and the reduction of ascorbic acid from the ovary, as well as the reduction / elimination of the secretion of gonadotrophic hormones and ovarian atrophy are also present. Therefore, in the present study, the concentration of cholesterol and ascorbic acid in the ovaries of the treated rats indicates ovarian hypofunction (hypofunction of ovarian steroidogenic activity). In our study, for ovarian tissue in rats receiving APS, the levels of G-6-PDH and Δ5-3β-HSD decreased. It has been shown that gonadotrophins, by activating the metabolism of G-6-PDH, increase the production rate of NADPH, necessary for the hydroxylation reaction and the formation of gonadal steroids from cholesterol in the ovarian tissue. Thus, G-6-PDH is an important factor in ovarian steroidogenesis. It has been shown that, in corporalutea animals, there is a positive relationship between progesterone synthesis and increased activity of Δ5-3β-HSD and G-6-PDH in the luteal tissue. The Δ5-3β-HSD is an important enzyme in the production of steroid hormones. The presence of the enzyme indicates that the steroidogenic activity of the tissue and estrogen synthesis in increased amount is associated with heightened Δ5-3β-HSD and G-6-PDH activities in the follicular granulose cells of the polycystic ovaries and in the ovaries of rats [28].
The results showed that APS administration affected many biochemical functions of blood serum, liver and kidney. In the present study, liver function showed that Bilirubin, SGPT, SGOT, Albumin and Globulin were elevated and Alkaline Phosphate and total protein levels were reduced in the APS compared to Control group. Evidence of liver damage and serum enzyme levels. Such damage can be linked to the permeability of hepatocyte membranes, the result of the generation of certain lesions following the association of glycidamide with the same function of membrane proteins [29]. Another important aspect of this study is related to kidney function parameters such as urea and creatinine. Decreased levels of uric acid and calcium, which indicate kidney function. Kidney function may be due to the decreased functional capacity of tubular secretion [30].
In this study, the Hematological analysis such as reduction of RBC, Hb, ESR and Clotting Time and increase of WBC in rats receiving APS compared to controls. It has antifertility properties but it disturbed the hematological parameters due to which a loss of body weight observed in the treated rats [31].