Short-term effects of high-dose khat on sperm parameters and reproductive hormonal levels in olive baboons (Papio anubis)
View/ Open
Date
2013Author
Nyachieo, A
Kiraithe, MM
Spiessens, C
Chai, DC
Kiulia, NM
D'hooghe, TM
Mwenda JM
Type
ArticleLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
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.
URI
http://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/345308http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/46746
Citation
Nyachieo A, Kiraithe MM, Spiessens C, Chai DC, Kiulia NM, D'Hooghe TM, Mwenda JM. Short-term effects of high-dose khat on sperm parameters and reproductive hormonal levels in olive baboons (Papio anubis).. Vol. 75.; 2013. Gynecol. Obstet. Invest. 75(2).Publisher
University of Nairobi, College of Health Sciences,
Collections
- Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) [10377]