Abstract
Background and objectives: Zingiber officinalis (Ginger) and Allium cepa (onion), have been used since the olden times. Recently it has been revealed that Ginger and onion have high antioxidant activity. Given role of antioxidants in sperm health, to reveal their effect on spermatogenesis, this investigation had been done.
Material and Methods: For this experiment 25 male Wister rats were randomly divided into 4 experimental group (n=20) and one control group (n=5). They were kept in equal conditions such as: equal place, food and water. First and second experimental group were treated with onion juice and first group received 100mg / kg per day and second group received 50mg/kg – per day. Third and fourth experimental group were treated with Ginger and third group recieved 100mg/kg and fourth group relieved 50mg / kg. Drug administered with gavages for 20 consequence day.
Animals were kept in standard conditions. In twentieth day testis of all groups were removed and sperm was collected from epididymis, then prepared for analysis.
Results: Results showed that the percentage of sperm viability and motility in whole experimental groups significantly increased (p<0.05). But the sperm concentration significantly increased only in the first experimental group (p<0.05). But no difference in sperm morphology and testis weights in other groups comparing to control was observed. The statistical analysis was ANOVA method.
Conclusion: Since in our study 20gr of fresh onion juice have significant effects on sperm number and percentage of viability and motility, so it seems that using of 1gr/kg fresh onion juice can be effective for sperm health parameters.