Cover
Vol. 1 No. 2 (2011)

Published: December 31, 2011

Pages: 31-38

Research Article

Effect of Glycyrrhiza glabra extract on in vitro sperm activation and embryonic development following intra-peritoneal insemination in mice: experimental model for mammals

Saad S. Al-Dujaily 1 Zina Muziher
1Department of Clinical Reproductive Physiology, Institute of Embryo Research and Infertility Treatment, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
History
  • Received: September 1, 2011
  • Available Online: December 1, 2011

Abstract

Background: Glycyrrhiza glabra(Gg) is a herbal medicine used in the treatment of different syndromes. Recently, the effect of this plant on the reproductive system has been studied. However, its role in in vitro still not clear. Objectives: The present study aims to investigate the possibility of using Glycyrrhiza glabra extract for in vitro sperm direct activation, and its effect on in vivo fertilization rate (FR) and early embryonic development (ED) following intra-peritoneal insemination (IPI). The mice were used as an experimental model for mammals. Materials and Methods: Glycyrrhiza glabra extract (2 mg/ml culture medium) was used for in vitro direct sperm activation technique. The female mice were divided into two groups: spontaneously ovulated (SOM) and superovulated groups (SuOM). Each group was divided into two subgroups, the first: the IPI was accomplished by epididymal sperm activated in vitro by adding 20%Gg to the culture medium. The second subgroup: the IPI is accomplished without adding Gg to the culture medium. Results: In vitro activation of epididymal sperms with 20% Gg has shown positive effects on sperm concentration, sperm motility, and grade activity of progressive forward movement. There was a significant (P<0.05) increase in FR with adding 20%Gg compared with that free of Gg of spontaneously ovulated groups after 24 hours of insemination. The FR in the right oviduct showed highly significant (P<0.001) increment compared to the left. Embryonic development rate significantly ( (P<0.05) increased after 24 and 48 hours of insemination in grouping with adding Gg. The study showed that the quantity and quality of embryos generated from IPI with adding Gg were higher than that of groups inseminated without adding Gg. Conclusion: It is concluded from the results of the present study that adding the 20% Gg to the culture medium of the epididymal sperm and IPI leads to an improvement in certain sperm function parameters and supports the FR in SOM and SuOM with an increase in the embryonic development rate. These data can be utilized for artificial insemination programs.

Keywords

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