Authors
Abstract
Background: Hops (Humulus lupulus L.) has industrial and medical applications and is used in the treatment of several diseases. Infertility is a medical important issue that its treatment with chemical medicines has various side effects. Due to fewer side effects of herbal medicines, yet little research has been done on the hops. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of hops extract on sexual hormone levels and sexual dynastic cells in Syrian adult male mice.
Materials and Methods: This experimental study was performed on 40 Syrian adult male mice that were divided into 5 groups of 8: two controls groups and three experimental groups receiving various doses of hops extract (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg). Administrations were done by gavage for 35 days. At the end of the treatment period, blood samples were taken from the heart of animals and testosterone, estrogen and progesterone levels was measured. Also, after isolation of mouse testis, the number of spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatid were counted. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey statistical tests.
Results: The results showed that hop caused a significant increase in estrogen and testosterone levels and spermatogonia and spermatocytes cells number; but has no effect on progesterone levels.
Conclusion: Hops extract, possibly by having phytoestrogen compounds and by stimulating LH secretion, increases estrogen and testosterone levels, and spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatid cells number. Therefore, further investigation on hops can utilize to help infertile men.
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