The effect of Hydro-alcoholic extract of pumpkin seeds on Oogenesis and Hormone-Pituitary-Ovarian Axis in Mature Rats

Introduction: In traditional medicine, pumpkin seeds are prescribed and used commonly as energetic and sexual enhancer substances. This study was planned and carried out in order to fill the gap caused by the lack of sufficient scientific evidence on the effect of this substance on oogenesis and hormone-pituitary-ovarian axis. Revealing the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of pumpkin seeds on oogenesis and hormone-pituitary-ovarian axis of mature rats. Methods: In this experimental study a number of 30 mature female Wistar rats (weight range: 180&plusmn;10) were tested. They were divided randomly into four 6-member groups, including three experiment and a control groups. Members of experimental groups were injected intraperitoneally by the extract (with 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of hydro-alcoholic extract of pumpkin seeds) for 21 consecutive days. A day after the last injection, the rats' blood was taken for analyzing the sexual hormones and ovaries were dissected for histological studies. Results: Injecting hydro-alcoholic extract of pumpkin seeds increases significantly the serum level of estrogen, progesterone, LH, FSH, number of graafian follicles and also decreases significantly the left ovaries' weight and number of primordial, primary, and secondary follicles in experimental groups in contrast to control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Injecting hydro-alcoholic extract of pumpkin seeds increases significantly the oogenesis procedure, LH, FSH, estrogen and progesterone levels.