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- Title
Short-Term Effects of High-Dose Khat on Sperm Parameters and Reproductive Hormonal Levels in Olive Baboons (Papio anubis).
- Authors
Nyachieo, Atunga; Kiraithe, Muthamia M.; Spiessens, Carl; Chai, Daniel C.; Kiulia, Nicholas M.; D'Hooghe, Thomas M.; Mwenda, Jason M.
- Abstract
The biological effects of khat (Catha edulis) on reproduction and fertility are inadequately investigated and controversial hence we determined the effects of oral administration of high-dose khat on sperm parameters and male hormonal levels in olive baboons. In this study, 6 male baboons received a high dose of khat (500 g/week) during 1 month. Electroejaculation for sperm studies (concentration, motility and chromatin integrity) and plasma collection for hormonal analysis (testosterone, prolactin and cortisol) were done weekly during 1 month before and 1 month during khat administration as well as 2 weeks after the last dose of khat administration. Administration of khat extract induced a significant reduction in sperm motility (p = 0.008), sperm count (p = 0.041), sperm chromatin integrity (p = 0.0003), testosterone levels (p = 0.035) and prolactin levels (p = 0.0115), but not in cortisol levels and sperm volume (p > 0.05). The results suggest that high-dose khat decreases sperm quality and testosterone and hence may contribute to male infertility.
- Subjects
OLIVE baboon; KHAT; ANIMAL reproduction; SPERM motility; MALE infertility; CHROMATIN; DISEASES
- Publication
Gynecologic & Obstetric Investigation, 2013, Vol 75, Issue 2, p109
- ISSN
0378-7346
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1159/000345308