Effects of Chronic Consumption of Xylopia aethiopica Seed Extracts on Oestrogen, Progesterone and Prolactin in Female Swiss White Mice

Increased growth in population, as seen most in developing countries of the world has resulted to a huge burden on their economy. Several studies have reported significant roles played by medicinal plants to improve or control fertility and reproductive activities. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of seed extract of Xylopia aethiopica (Uda) on Oestrogen, Progesterone and Prolactin using female Swiss White mice. Twenty-two (22) adult female Swiss mice were used. The mice were randomly grouped into 2 groups with 11 animals in each group. Group 1 which was the control had only rat chow and water; group 2 had 100mg/kg Uda. They had these daily. The extracts were administered by oral gavage for 35 days. The mice were anaesthetised using ketamine on the 35th day and blood was collected in plane sample bottles via cardiac puncture and assayed for progesterone, oestrogen and prolactin. The results showed that extracts of Xylopia aethiopica significantly decreased the serum levels of oestrogen (41.8 ± 7.6), progesterone (4.3 ± 0.6), and prolactin (0.4 ± 0.1) compared to the control 62.2 ± 1.9, 6.2 ± 0.9 and 0.7 ± 0.1 respectively.