The Effects of Aqueous Extract of Allium sativum (Garlic) on Some Aspects of Reproduction in the Female Albino Rat (Wistar Strain)

Allium sativum (Garlic) is one of the plants used as a therapeutic agent in many cultures. The current study was to investigate the effect of its extract on some aspects of reproduction in the female albino rat (Wistar strain). Seventy-five female albino rats which were in proestrus divided into five groups fifteen each. Group A was given distilled water as control while groups B, C, D and E were given oral daily dose, 200, 400, 600 and 800 mgs/kg body weights of aqueous garlic extract respectively, for twenty-eight days (phase 1)and throughout the gestation periods of 28-30 days (phase 2 ). Five rats in each group were sacrificed at day fourteen and day twenty-eight for gross and histological examinations during the first phase. The remaining five rats (in each group) were mated at the second phase. Results revealed significant reduction in weights of uterine body and cervix in group E (P < 0.05) as compared to groups A,B, C and D while the ovaries did not show any significant change. Significant increase in length of right uterine horn and decrease in length of left uterine horn (P <0.05) were observed in groups B, C, D and E compared with group A. Histological findings revealed no pathological lesions in the genitalia of all the rats. Mated rats all conceived without abortion. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in litter size, live birth weight and neonatal mortality across the groups. These findings suggest that aqueous garlic extracts have no deleterious effect on the reproductive performance of female rat.