Effect of the Aqueous Extract of Schumanniophyton magnificum Harms on Sexual Maturation and Fertility of Immature (K. schum) Female Rat

The aim of the study was to bring scientific evidence of the curative action of the stem bark aqueous extract of Schumanniophyton magnificum (ASMa) on the sexual maturation and fertility of the immature female Wistar rat. Forty immature female rats were randomized and divided into 4 groups of ten animals each and orally treated with the ASMa at doses of 0 (distilled water), 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg /BW/day for 30 consecutive days. Body weight and food intake were recorded throughout the experimental period. The precocity of the puberty onset in treated animals was evaluated through the determination of their age at vaginal opening. At the end of the experimental period, 5 animals in each group were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for hormonal assay. Their ovaries and uteri were removed, blotted, weighted and prepared for biochemical analysis. The remaining rats (5 per group) were crossed with males of proven fertility. After laparotomy (ten days after mating) and delivery, fertility and gestational parameters were recorded. It was noticed that, body weight gain increased significantly at all doses although there was no significant difference in food intake. The sexual maturation of treated animal was reduced to 5 days when compared to control. This was associated with the simultaneous elevation of FSH and LH (p < 0.0001) at dose of 800 mg/kg and FSH alone (p < 0.001) at dose of 400 mg/kg. However, the ovarian cholesterol significantly decreased (p < 0.0001) at all doses while the uterine protein significantly increased (p < 0.05; p < 0.0001) respectively at dose of 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg. The animal treated at doses of 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg exhibited an early fertilization (2 - 3 days) when compared to the control one (9 - 14 days). The number of implantation site significantly increased (p < 0.05; p < 0.01) respectively at dose of 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg) after laparotomy as well as the number of alive fetuses after delivery and gestational rate (80% and 100%) respectively. These results provide the strong evidence on the induction of the onset puberty and gonadotropin synthesis, the improvement of the ovarian folliculogenesis and the fertility effect of ASMa in immature rats.