| dc.description.abstract | The mode of action of embelin, a naturally occurring plant benzoquinone with male
fertility regulating potential, was investigated. Sexually mature white New Zealand male
rabbits were injected intra-muscularly with embelin (30 mg/kg body wt) on alternate days for
14 days (7 injections). Blood was collected on alternate days over 27-day period from the
beginning of embelin administration. Testosterone and progesterone levels were measured
by radioimmunoassay and luteinising hormone (LH) by mouse interstitial cell testosterone
bioassay. There was a marked reduction of testosterone concentrations within two days of
embelin administration and up to 90% reduction by the 6th day. LH showed a corresponding
rise with the falling testosterone levels. Similarly, there was rapid increase in progesterone
levels with the administration of embelin. Both the concentrations of progesterone and LH … | en_US |
