| dc.description.abstract | This study investigated the effects of fresh khat extract on specific circulating hormones in male rabbits.
Materials and methods: A total of 25 male New Zealand White rabbits were divided into five groups each comprising five animals. The first four
groups were fed four doses (1.5 g/kg, 4.5 g/kg, 13.5 g/kg and 40.5 g/kg body weight) of khat extract twice a week for 5 weeks while the last group,
serving as control, was fed only normal saline via intragastric tube. Blood samples were collected at 15 min interval for up to 3 h after khat extract
administration and plasma assayed for luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone and cortisol levels using radioimmunoassay technique.
Results: Khat extract at all doses significantly lowered (P < 0.05) LH pulse frequency, area under LH curve, mean plasma LH and mean plasma
testosterone levels. Plasma cortisol levels were significantly elevated (P < 0.05) in khat-treated rabbits in a dose-dependent manner.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that khat may impair reproductive function in male rabbits by interfering with sex hormone profiles | en |
