Reproductive Effects of Medicinal Plant (Azadirachta indica) Used as Forage and for Ethnoveterinary Practices: New Insights from Animal Models

In some African and Asian countries, Azadirachta indica (AI) has been fed to livestock for decades traditionally used treat certain animal human diseases. Recently, there are suspicions that the plant may possess anti-reproductive properties concerns continued use of AI as forage or folkloric medicine detrimentally affect reproduction in subjects. To address these challenges, this work determined reproductive fertility effects a methanolic seed extract (MSEAI) using adult female albino rats (AFARs) an experimental model. Sixty-four AFARs were randomly assigned into four groups (A–D) sixteen each. Group A was control while B, C D treated daily with 50, 100 200 mg/kg MSEAI respectively, 28 consecutive days via oral gavage. Blood samples collected hormonal biochemistry assays. Ovarian from harvested histopathological studies. Thereafter, remaining bred, indices determined. The mean serum FSH LH levels significantly decreased (p ≤ 0.05) groups. studies revealed massive follicular degeneration treatment indicated post-implantation survival index 100% 0% group. No abortion occurred 50 groups, but 25% pregnant does aborted respectively. Considering high doses (100 mg/kg) had significant antifertility properties, ethnoveterinary breeding females adversely their potentials. However, could be utilized rodent depopulation programs agriculture contraceptive limit proliferation stray dogs, known reservoirs rabies virus developing countries. Moreover, further refined effective, cheap, eco-friendly acceptable alternative synthetic/modern contraceptives, which is limited nations due superstitious beliefs multiple side effects.