General paper
Chronic administration of aqueous extract of Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Bertoni in rats: Endocrine effects

https://doi.org/10.1016/0306-3623(89)90013-XGet rights and content

Abstract

  • 1.

    1. The effects of the active principles of S. rebaudiana (SR) on endocrine parameters of male rats were studied upon chronic administrations (60 days) of a concentrated, crude extract of its leaves, starting at prepubertal age (25–30 days old).

  • 2.

    2. The following determinations were made: glycemia; serum levels of T3 and T4; available binding sites in thyroid hormone-binding proteins (T3R index); binding of [3H]R1881 to prostate cytosol; zinc content in prostate, testis, submandibular salivary gland (SMG) and pancreas; water content in testis and prostate. The body weight gain and the final weight of testis, prostate, seminal vesicle, SMG and adrenal were also studied.

  • 3.

    3. Results showed that the SR-treated group did not significantly differ from the control group, with exception to the seminal vesicle weight, which fell by about 60%.

  • 4.

    4. It is concluded that if the SR extract does have some potential to decrease rat fertility at all, this effect is almost certainly not exerted on the male.

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