Authors : Arash Esfandiari, Asghar Dehghan, Siavash Sharifi, Bardia Najafi and Esmaeil Vesali
Abstract: Tribulus terrestris, puncture vine has long been used in traditional medicine to treat impotency and improve sexual functions in man although, there are little information about effect of Tribulus terrestris on female reproduction. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of Tribulus trestris extract on ovarian activity of immature wistar rat. About 20 immature female wistar rats, aged 21 days and with an average weight of 50 g were used in the study. The rats randomly divided into treatment and control groups. Rats in treatment group received 10 mg of the extract per rat. The period of the study divided into 7 and 14 days period. Half of the rats in each group (n = 5) were euthanized at final day of each period and the ovaries removed for preparating of histology sections. Number and diameter of corpus luteum, thickness of theca interna layer and number of all follicles were evaluated in each left and right ovaries. Results showed that number of corpus luteum and diameter of theca interna increased in treatment group as compared with control group. Number of secondry and graafian follicles after 14 days treatment were be higher than control and 7 days treatment. The present results indicated that Tribulus terrestris induces corpus luteum formation and growth and therefore beginning of puberty with its LH-like activity.
Arash Esfandiari, Asghar Dehghan, Siavash Sharifi, Bardia Najafi and Esmaeil Vesali, 2011. Effect of Tribulus terrestris Extract on Ovarian Activity in Immature Wistar Rat: A Histological Evaluation. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 10: 883-886.