Mucuna pruriens improves male fertility by its action on the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis.

Abstract

To understand the mechanism of action of Mucuna pruriens in the treatment of male infertility.
Prospective study.
Departments of Biochemistry, Urology, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, C.S.M. Medical University, Lucknow, India.
Seventy-five normal healthy fertile men (controls) and 75 men undergoing infertility screening.
High-performance liquid chromatography assay for quantitation of dopa, adrenaline, and noradrenaline in seminal plasma and blood. Estimation by RIA of hormonal parameters in blood plasma, namely T, LH, FSH, and PRL.
Before and after treatment, serum T, LH, FSH, PRL, dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline in seminal and blood plasma were measured.
Decreased sperm count and motility were seen in infertile subjects. Serum T and LH levels, as well as seminal plasma and blood levels of dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline were also decreased in all groups of infertile men. This was accompanied by significantly increased serum FSH and PRL levels in oligozoospermic subjects. Treatment with M. pruriens significantly improved T, LH, dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline levels in infertile men and reduced levels of FSH and PRL. Sperm count and motility were significantly recovered in infertile men after treatment.
Treatment with M. pruriens regulates steroidogenesis and improves semen quality in infertile men.

Full text

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Mucuna pruriens improves male fertility by its action
on the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonadal axis
Kamla Kant Shukla, M.Sc.,aAbbas Ali Mahdi, M.Phil. Ph.D.,aMohammad Kaleem Ahmad, M.Sc.,a
Satya Narain Shankhwar, M.Ch.,bSingh Rajender, Ph.D.,cand Shyam Pyari Jaiswar, M.S.d
aDepartment of Biochemistry and
Division, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India; anddDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, C.S.M. Medical
University, Lucknow, India
bDepartment of Urology, C.S.M. Medical University, Lucknow, India;cEndrocrinology
Objective: To understand the mechanism of action of Mucuna pruriens in the treatment of male infertility.
Design: Prospective study.
Setting: Departments of Biochemistry, Urology, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, C.S.M. Medical University,
Lucknow, India.
Patient(s): Seventy-five normal healthy fertile men (controls) and 75 men undergoing infertility screening.
Intervention(s): High-performance liquid chromatography assay for quantitation of dopa, adrenaline, and nor-
adrenaline in seminal plasma and blood. Estimation by RIA of hormonal parameters in blood plasma, namely
T, LH, FSH, and PRL.
Main Outcome Measure(s): Before and after treatment, serum T, LH, FSH, PRL, dopamine, adrenaline, and nor-
adrenaline in seminal and blood plasma were measured.
Result(s): Decreased sperm count and motility were seen in infertile subjects. Serum Tand LH levels, as well as
seminal plasma and blood levels of dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline were also decreased in all groups of
infertile men. This was accompanied by significantly increased serum FSH and PRL levels in oligozoospermic
subjects.TreatmentwithM.prurienssignificantlyimprovedT,LH,dopamine,adrenaline,andnoradrenalinelevels
in infertile men and reduced levels of FSH and PRL. Sperm count and motility were significantly recovered in
infertile men after treatment.
Conclusion(s): Treatment withM.pruriens regulates steroidogenesis andimprovessemenquality ininfertile men.
(Fertil Steril?2008;-:-–-. ?2008 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)
Key Words: Male infertility, testosterone, Mucuna pruriens, dopamine, catecholamines, follicle-stimulating
hormone
Infertilitycanbedefinedasalackofpregnancyafter1yearof
unprotected intercourse, and it is the manifestation of one or
more pathologic conditions of male or female origin.
Reduced spermatogenesis and defective sperm function are
the most prevalent causes of idiopathic male infertility.
Many environmental, physiologic, endocrine, and genetic
factors have been reported as underlying poor sperm function
and male factor infertility (1). A meta-analysis of 61 studies
worldwide reported a downward trend in sperm count and
semen volume over the past 50 years (2, 3). Given its etio-
logic heterogeneity, successful treatment of male infertility
is quite cumbersome (4).
TestosteroneissecretedbytheLeydigcellsunderLHstim-
ulation and is essential for promoting spermatogenesis,
whereas FSH has a role in the development of testes. An in-
creased FSH level in men has been correlated with damage to
the seminiferous tubules (5). Testosterone, E2, and inhibin
control the secretion of gonadotropins and also autoregulate
their plasma concentrations by acting on the hypothalamic–
pituitary axis (6). There are reports that abnormalities in
sex hormone biosynthesis may impair spermatogenesis.
The failure of the pituitary to maintain proportionate levels
of FSH, LH, and PRL may lead to disruption of testicular
function, leading to infertility (7).
Prolactin secretion from pituitary lactotrophs is under the
inhibitory control of dopamine secreted from the hypothala-
mus, and hyperprolactinemia arises either from interference
with the action of dopamine or from a lactotroph adenoma
(8).Dopamine playsanimportantroleinmediatingmalesex-
ual behavior and function; an increase of dopamine in the
brain results in increased libido (9). A decrease in catechol-
amine content, especially of dopamine in the brain, may
reduce male sexual function (10). It has been reported that
low serum T levels with raised gonadotropin (FSH) levels
cause damage to Leydig cells and seminiferous tubules
(11). A better understanding of the hormonal requirements
of spermatogenesis is desirable for the improvement of treat-
ment for male infertility (12).
Received July 25, 2008; revised and accepted September 9, 2008.
K.K.S. has nothing to disclose. A.A.M. has nothing to disclose. M.K.A. has
nothing to disclose. S.N.S. has nothing to disclose. S.R. has nothing to
disclose. S.P.J. has nothing to disclose.
Supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India
(5/10/8/2004-RHN).
Reprint requests: Abbas Ali Mahdi, M.Phil., Ph.D., Medical Elementology
and Free Radical Biology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry,
C.S.M. Medical University U.P., Lucknow 226003, India (FAX:
91-522-2253030;E-mail:mahdiaa@rediffmail.comoraamahdi@mefr.in).
0015-0282/08/$34.00
doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.09.045
Fertility and Sterility?Vol. -, No. -, - 2008
1
Copyright ª2008 American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Published by Elsevier Inc.
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In the ancient Indian Ayurvedic and Unani medicine sys-
tems, numerous plants and their products have been recom-
mended for endurance against stress, general resistance
against infection, retardation of the aging process, and even-
tual improvement of male sexual function, alleviating disor-
ders like psychogenic impotence and unexplained infertility
(13). However, the scientific rationale behind the use of these
products remains unexplored to date. Recently we reported
that Mucuna pruriens seed powder helps fight stress-medi-
ated poor semen quality and acts as a restorative and invigo-
rator tonic or aphrodisiac in infertile subjects (14, 15). The
study reported successful treatment of 70% of infertile indi-
viduals (14). We proposed a possible mechanism of action
of M. pruriens; however, experimental evidence in support
of the hypothesis was lacking. Inview of the above consider-
ations, the present study was planned to investigate the pos-
sible effects of M. pruriens on seminal plasma and blood
levels of dopamine and sex hormones and on semen quality.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Plant Material
The seeds of M. pruriens were purchased from an authorized
dealer in Lucknow, India. These were identified and authen-
ticated by Dr. M.M.A.A Khan, Senior Lecturer, Department
of Botany, Shia P.G. College, Lucknow, India (Herbarium
No. M-113, dated October 17, 2005). The seeds were dried
under shade and ground to a fine powder with a laboratory
mill.
Study Protocol
The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review
BoardandEthicsCommitteeoftheChhatrapatiSahujiMaha-
raj (C.S.M.) Medical University, Lucknow, India. Before
enrolment in the study, written informed consent from each
subject was obtained in response to a full written and verbal
explanation of the nature of study. The potential participants
with infertility persisting longer than 1 year were clinically
examined before being included in the study. A complete
medical history of the subjects and their female partners
was also recorded. Subjects with diabetes, hypertension, ar-
thritis, malignancy, tuberculosis, HIV infection, other infec-
tions, or other endocrine disorders and those taking drugs
or with conditions known to influence fertility were excluded
from this study.
Subjects
One hundredfifty men,aged 25–40years,were selected from
the couples attending the Infertility Clinic of the Department
ofObstetricsand GynecologyandtheOutpatientDepartment
of Urology, C.S.M. Medical University. Semen samples were
collected from the subjects after 3 to 4 days of sexual absti-
nence. Semen analysis was carried out according to the
World Health Organization guidelines (16). Venous blood
samples were alsowithdrawn and serum separated for assess-
ment of hormone levels.
Theprospectivestudyincludedfourparallelgroupsofsub-
jects: three patient groups and one control group. The patient
group comprised 75 subjects and was further divided into
threesubgroupsof25patientseachonthebasisofsemenpro-
files: [1] normozoospermic infertile men (sperm count >20
? 106/mL, >40% motility, and >40% normal morphology),
[2] oligozoospermic infertile men (sperm count <20 ? 106/
mL, motility >40%, and >40% normal morphology), and
[3] asthenozoospermic infertile men (sperm count >20 ?
106/mL, <40% motility, and >40% normal morphology).
The control group comprised 75 age-matched healthy men
who had previously initiated at least one pregnancy and
had a normal semen profile (sperm count >20 ? 106/mL,
>40%motility, and >40% normal morphology). Allsubjects
were instructed not to take any nutritional supplement or
vitamins and not to change their dietary habits during the
course of treatment. This study was undertaken between
January 2005 and January 2007.
Treatment
The infertile men were prescribed M. pruriens seed powder
(5 g/d), orally, in a single dose with milk for 3 months (17).
Semen and blood samples were collected before administra-
tion of the medicine and after 3 months of treatment.
Preparation of Seminal Plasma and Serum
Semen samples were collected by masturbation after 3 to 4
days of abstinence into sterile plastic containers for analyses.
The semenvolumewas recorded, and an aliquot was taken to
assess sperm motility after allowing 30 minutes for liquefac-
tion. Semen samples were centrifuged at 1,200 ? g at 4?C for
20minutesfor separation ofseminal plasma.Thesupernatant
(seminal plasma) was again centrifuged at 10,000 ? g at 4?C
for 30 minutes to eliminate all possible contaminating cells
and stored at ?20?C until analysis. All blood samples were
drawn between 8 AM and 10 AM and centrifuged at 3,000 ?
g at 4?C for 10 minutes to collect supernatant.
Chemicals
All chemicals and RIA kits for LH, FSH, T, and PRL were of
analytic grade and were purchased from Sigma Chemical
(St. Louis, MO).
Hormonal Assay
Serum T, LH, FSH, and PRL were measured by a double
antibody RIA method using Gamma Counter (Stratec Bio-
medical Systems, Birkenfeld, Germany) (18).
Estimation of Catecholamines
Seminal plasma or blood plasma (250 mL) from normal fer-
tile and infertile men was deproteinized by precipitation
with 250mLperchloricacid andcentrifugationat 10,000?g.
The clear supernatant was placed in a fresh tube and com-
bined with 25 mL of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 0.625 ng as
2
Shukla et al.
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internal standard in 3 M Tris buffer (pH 8.6), containing 5%
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt to a final vol-
ume of 1.0 mL. To this reaction mixture, 500 mg of neutral
alumina was added. The tubes were stoppered, shaken vigor-
ously for 10 minutes, and centrifuged at 10,000 ? g for 20
minutes at room temperature. The supernatant was drained
out. Alumina was washed with water and eluted with 0.5
mL of 0.1 M perchloric acid and estimated for catechol-
amines content, using the method of DeVitro and Wagner
(19). The filtered eleunt was injected manually through
a 20-mL loop over the ODS-C18 column coupled with
a high-performance liquid chromatography/electrochemical
detector (Waters Corporation, Milford, MA) for separation
and quantification. The mobile phase consisted of 0.1 M
potassium phosphate (pH 4.0), 10% methanol, and 1.0 mM
heptane sulfonic acid. Samples were separated on a C18 col-
umn using a low flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The concentrations
of dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline were calculated
using a standard curve generated by determining the ratio
between the known amounts of dopamine, adrenaline, and
noradrenaline(5ngofeach)andaconstantamountofinternal
standard by Millennium software (Waters Corporation) and
reported as nanograms per milliliter (19).
Statistical Analysis
Normal healthy fertile men and infertile men were compared
by one-way analysis of variance; the significant mean differ-
ence of the normal healthy fertile group (control) from the
infertile groups was calculated by Dunnett’s posttest. Simi-
larly, two related groups (before and after treatment) of infer-
tile subjects were compared by paired t-test. A P value of
<.05 was considered statistically significant. Statistical anal-
ysis was performed with Instat 3.0 (GraphPad Software, San
Diego, CA).
RESULTS
Semen Profile
General semen characteristics of the different subject groups
before and after treatment are depicted in Table 1. In normal
healthy fertile men (control group) the mean sperm concen-
tration was 58.07 ? 7.61 ? 106/mL, with motility at
56.75% ? 5.05%, and liquefaction time was 20.85 ? 2.22
minutes.Thespermconcentrationandmotilityintheinfertile
groups was statistically significantly less as compared with
controls. The sperm concentration in the oligozoospermic
group (86%; P<.001) and motility in the asthenozoospermic
group (77%; P<.001) were statistically significantly less as
compared with controls. Treatment with M. pruriens for 3
months showed significant reversal of the above parameters.
Sperm concentration was most significantly improved in oli-
gozoospermic patients (576%; P<.001), and sperm motility
was significantly improved in asthenozoospermic patients
(41%; P<.05).
TABLE 1
Clinical parameters of patients before and after treatment with M. pruriens.
Normozoospermic
Oligozoospermic
Asthenozoospermic
Physiologic parameters
Control
Pretreatment
Posttreatment
Pretreatment
Posttreatment
Pretreatment
Posttreatment
Semen volume (mL)
2.70 ? 0.32
2.56 ? 0.47
(?5)
2.78 ? 0.61
(þ8)
2.65 ? 0.35
(?2)
2.72 ? 0.43
(þ3)
2.18 ? 0.40
(?19)
2.29 ? 0.19
(þ5)
Liquefaction time (min)
20.85 ? 2.22
25.10 ? 2.92a
(þ20)
19.40 ? 2.16b
(?23)
24.15 ? 1.79
(þ16)
18.75 ? 2.49b
(?22)
58.10 ? 6.38c
(þ179)
35.80 ? 4.96b
(?38)
Motility (%)
56.75 ? 5.05
62.50 ? 6.44d
(þ10)
67.15 ? 6.27
(þ7)
68.00 ? 9.60
(þ20)
70.80 ?15.45
(þ 4)
12.85 ? 2.39c
(?77)
18.10 ? 2.86b
(þ41)
Sperm concentration
(?106/mL)
58.07 ? 7.61
56.10 ? 7.31d
(?3)
70.65 ? 7.17b
(þ26)
8.31 ? 2.82c
(?86)
56.20 ? 6.69b
(þ576)
54.55 ? 6.37
(?6)
57.70 ? 9.16
(þ6)
Note:Resultsareexpressedasmean?SD.Valuesinparenthesesindicatepercentagechange(pretreatmentgroupsvs.controlandposttreatmentgroupsvs.respective
pretreatment groups).
aP<.05 vs. control group.
bP<.001 vs. pretreatment group.
cP<.001 vs. control group.
dP<.01; vs. control group.
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Hormone Levels
The serum T level in the control group was 5.63 ? 0.81 mg/
mL; this level was lower in the normozoospermic (20%;
P<.01), oligozoospermic (30%; P<.01), and asthenozoo-
spermic (52%; P<.01) infertile groups as compared with
the control group. After treatment with M. pruriens, the T
level improved significantly in normozoospermic (27%;
P<.5), oligozoospermic (39%; P<.01), and asthenozoosper-
mic (17%; P<.01) infertile men (Table 2). Similarly, serum
LH levels in normozoospermic (17%; P<.05), oligozoosper-
mic (30%; P<.05), and asthenozoospermic (43%; P<.05)
patients were significantly lower when compared with con-
trols. Treatment with M. pruriens recovered the levels of
LH in normozoospermic (23%; P<.05), oligozoospermic
(41%; P<.05), and asthenozoospermic (40%; P<.05) sub-
jects. On the other hand, in oligozoospermic and asthenozoo-
spermic men, FSH and PRL levels were significantly
increased (FSH: 33% and 17%, respectively [P<.001];
PRL: 61% and 4% [P<.001]), and after treatment with M.
pruriens these levels were significantly reduced. Intra- and
interassay coefficients of variation in T, LH, FSH, and PRL
were 10.0%, 14.0%, 8.5%, and 12.5%, respectively.
Dopamine levels were decreased in seminal plasma and
blood plasma of normozoospermic (45%, 48%; P<.01), oli-
gozoospermic (45%, 34%; P<.01), and asthenozoospermic
(58%,67%; P<.01) infertile men (Tables3 and 4).Treatment
with M. pruriens recovered the seminal plasma and blood
plasma dopamine levels in normozoospermic (65%, 63%;
P<.01), oligozoospermic (70%, 19%; P<.05), and astheno-
zoospermic (72%, 75%; P<.01) men, as compared with pre-
treatment levels. Similarly, seminal plasma and blood levels
of adrenaline in normozoospermic (58%, 51%; P<.05), oli-
gozoospermic (62%, 41%; P<.05), and asthenozoospermic
(64%, 61%; P<.05) infertile subjects were decreased as
comparedwiththecontrolgroup.TreatmentwithM.pruriens
recovered the seminal plasma and blood plasma levels of
adrenaline in normozoospermic (76%, 84%; P<.05), oligo-
zoospermic (37%, 64%; P<.05), and asthenozoospermic
(58%, 73%; P<.05) infertile men. Noradrenaline levels in
seminal plasma and blood plasma were decreased in normo-
zoospermic (41%, 48%; P<.05), oligozoospermic (55%,
63%;P<.001),andasthenozoospermic
P<.001) men; after treatment with M. pruriens these levels
were significantly recovered in normozoospermic (46%,
53%; P<.05), oligozoospermic (43%, 34%; P<.01), and
asthenozoospermic (44%, 53%; P<.001) men.
(63%,64%;
DISCUSSION
Recently we reported that M. pruriens increases semen vol-
ume, improves sperm quality, and regresses unspecific gener-
ation of reactive oxygen species in infertile subjects (14, 15).
In continuation of these findings, the present study explored
the possible mode of action of M. pruriens against infertility;
treatment with this natural product for 3 months significantly
regulated the levels of PRL and other male sex hormones, as
well as sperm motility and concentration in infertile men.
TABLE 2
Hormonal parameters of patients before and after treatment with M. pruriens.
Normozoospermic
Oligozoospermic
Asthenozoospermic
Hormonal parameters
Control
Pretreatment
Posttreatment
Pretreatment
Posttreatment
Pretreatment
Posttreatment
LH (mIU/mL)
7.35 ? 0.52 6.08 ? 0.93a(?17) 7.50 ? 0.96b(þ23)
5.15 ? 0.97c(?30)
7.28 ? 0.92b(þ41) 4.14 ? 1.35c(?43) 5.79 ? 0.97b(þ40)
FSH (mIU/mL)
6.22 ? 1.71 7.11 ? 1.30a(þ14) 6.28 ? 1.94b(?11)
8.30 ? 1.06c(þ33%) 6.32 ? 1.46b(?24) 7.28 ? 2.05c(þ17) 6.67 ? 1.29b(?8)
T (ng/mL)
5.63 ? 0.81 4.49 ? 0.53a(?20) 5.72 ? 0.36b(þ27)
3.89 ? 0.95c(?30)
5.40 ? 0.48b(þ39) 2.65 ? 0.73c(?52) 3.66 ? 0.39b(þ17)
PRL (ng/mL)
6.68 ? 2.03 6.75 ? 1.13a(þ1)
5.45 ? 0.66b(?19)
10.76 ? 2.94c(þ61)
7.28 ? 1.66b(?32) 6.92 ? 1.53c(þ4)
6.16 ? 1.74b(?11)
Note:Resultsareexpressedasmean?SD.Valuesinparenthesesindicatepercentagechange(pretreatmentgroupsvs.controlandposttreatmentgroupsvs.respective
pretreatment groups).
aP<.05 vs. control group.
bP<.01 vs. pretreatment group.
cP<.01 vs. control group.
Shukla. Mucuna pruriens improves fertility. Fertil Steril 2008.
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Asameasureofbiochemicalfactorscorrelatingwithmalein-
fertility, we observed that dopamine, noradrenaline, and
adrenaline levels were decreased in the seminal plasma as
well as serum of infertile men. The decreased levels of dopa-
mine were associated with decrease in serum levels of Tand
LH in all three infertile groups (normozoospermic, oligozoo-
spermic, and asthenozoospermic) and with a significant
increase in PRL and FSH in the oligozoospermic infertile
men. However, after treatment with M. pruriens there was
significant improvement in the levels of dopamine, noradren-
aline, and adrenaline, as well as in Tand LH levels. Further-
more, PRL and FSH levels were decreased in infertile men
after treatment.
Hyperprolactinemia is less common in men; however, it is
associated with hypogonadism with absolute or relative
impotence and loss of sexual behavior (20). There is mount-
ing evidence that PRL acts on the Leydig cells, germ cells,
prostate,vasdeferens,andotherregionsofthemalereproduc-
tivetract,buttheroleoftheseactionsininfertilemenremains
tobeclearlydefined(21).ItisreportedthatplasmaPRLlevels
in men increase immediately after orgasm and that they have
a role in inhibiting sexual drive and behavior (22).
Prolactin is unique among the anterior pituitary hormones
because its secretion is affected by a large variety of stimuli
called PRL-releasing factors, such as thyrotropin-releasing
hormone, oxytocin, and neurotensin; the most important psy-
chological stimuli that elevate pituitary PRL secretion are
suckling stress in women and psychological stress in men
(23). In mammals the control exerted by the hypothalamus
over pituitary PRL secretion is largely inhibitory. The known
PRL-inhibiting factors are dopamine, somatostatin, and
g-aminobutyric acid;however, it is mostly inhibited by dopa-
mine (24). Our observation of increased PRL levels in infer-
tile men and its decreased content in treated men may be an
effect of treatment and it establishes the inhibitory effect of
PRL on spermatogenesis.
There are hardly any reports that infertile men have
increased levels of PRL-releasing factors, but generally
because of psychological stress these levels may be elevated
(25, 26). In the present study we observeddecreased amounts
of PRL-inhibiting factors, namely dopamine, adrenaline, and
noradrenaline, in the seminal plasma as well as blood plasma
of infertile patients. This may be the reason for increased
levels of PRL in infertile men. However, after treatment
with M. pruriens, PRL levels were reduced, perhaps because
M. pruriens seeds are rich in L-3, 4 dihydroxy phenyl alaline
(L-DOPA) and its metabolites, which include dopamine, epi-
nephrine, and norepinephrine (27). Therefore, it is suggested
that dopamine may inhibit the release of PRL from the ante-
rior lobe of the pituitary gland, and this stimulates the hypo-
thalamus and forebrain to secrete GnRH, which in turn may
activate the anterior pituitary gland to secrete FSH and LH,
causing increased synthesis of T by Leydig cells of the testis
in infertile subjects (28). Moreover, LH controls steroid pro-
duction by binding with the receptors on the Leydig cells,
thereby inducingthe synthesis ofcyclicadenosine
TABLE 3
Catecholamine parameters in seminal plasma of patients before and after treatment with M. pruriens.
Normozoospermic
Oligozoospermic
Asthenozoospermic
Catecholamine
Control
Pretreatment
Posttreatment
Pretreatment
Posttreatment
Pretreatment
Posttreatment
Dopamine (ng/mL)
4.34 ? 0.95
2.36 ? 0.55a(?45)
3.89 ? 0.82b(þ65)
2.36 ? 0.24a(?45)
4.03 ? 0.34b(þ70)
1.82 ? 0.82a(?58)
3.14 ? 0.88b(þ72)
Adrenaline (ng/mL)
7.60 ? 1.04
3.12 ? 1.12a(?58)
5.45 ? 0.88b(þ76)
2. 85 ? 0.65a(?62)
4.67 ? 0.67b(þ37)
2.71 ? 0.96a(?64)
4.28 ? 1.12b(þ58)
Noradrenaline (ng/mL)
9.29 ? 1.02
5.41 ? 0.82a(?41)
7.93 ? 1.51b(þ46)
4.12 ? 1.73a(?55)
5.92 ? 0.65b(þ43)
3.44 ? 0.96a(?63)
4.97 ? 0.37b(þ44)
Note:Resultsareexpressedasmean?SD.Valuesinparenthesesindicatepercentagechange(pretreatmentgroupsvs.controlandposttreatmentgroupsvs.respective
pretreatment groups).
aP<.01 vs. control group.
bP<.001 vs. pretreatment group.
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monophosphate (cAMP) from adenosine triphosphate, and
increased levels of cAMP are largely responsible for the up-
regulation of steroidogenesis (15, 29–31).
Seminal vesicles and vas deferens, including testis and
epididymides, are also rich sources of adrenaline and nor-
adrenaline in human semen (32). These catecholamines
havebeen showntoenhancesperm motility,transport,capac-
itation, and acrosome reaction (33), and they are also in-
volved in contraction of the seminal vesicles and inhibition
of lipid peroxidation in spermatozoa (34). Our study also
states that M. pruriens regulates the level of these catechol-
amines to facilitate proper functioning of the genitourinary
system in infertile subjects.
In brief, it may be stated that M. pruriens helps in some
central mechanism to increase secretion of semen, decrease
spermatorrhea, and act as a restorative invigorating tonic
and aphrodisiac in disorders characterized by weakness or
loss of sexual power (35, 36). Although the exact chemical
composition of M. pruriens seeds remains to be explored,
their ability to enhance the secretion of semen, affect sex
hormones including T, and improve performance and sexual
drive has been well established. The present study was car-
ried out to asses the effect of M. pruriens on the hypotha-
lamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. Our study demonstrated the
positive impact of M. pruriens not only on dopamine levels
but also on other biochemical constitutes, such as adrenaline
and noradrenaline, in the reproductive tract. Therefore, in
conclusion, M. pruriens seems to influence fertility by its
action on the central nervous system through dopamine and
the reproductive tract through adrenaline and noradrenaline.
More in-depth studies are needed to unravel the positive
impact of this ‘‘wonder herb.’’
Acknowledgement: The authors thank Mr. M.P.S. Negi, Biometric Division,
Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India for his valuable support in
statistical analysis.
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TABLE 4
Catecholamine parameters in blood plasma of patients before and after treatment with M. pruriens.
Normozoospermic
Oligozoospermic
Asthenozoospermic
Catecholamine
Control
Pretreatment
Posttreatment
Pretreatment
Posttreatment
Pretreatment
Posttreatment
Dopamine (ng/mL)
2.29 ? 0.59
1.17 ? 0.40a(?48)
1.91 ? 0.05b(þ63)
1.52 ? 0.34a(?34)
1.80 ? 0.44b(þ19)
0.93 ? 0.06a(?67)
1.63 ? 0.59b(þ75)
Adrenaline (ng/mL)
3.61 ? 0.86
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2.14 ? 0.68a(?41)
2.94 ? 0.12b(þ64)
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2.43? 0.31b(þ73)
Noradrenaline (ng/mL)
5.63 ? 1.00
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4.44 ? 0.91b(þ53)
2.07 ? 0.57a(?63)
2.78 ? 0.55b(þ34)
2.04 ? 0.39a(?64)
2.66 ? 0.20b(þ53)
Note:Resultsareexpressedasmean?SD.Valuesinparenthesesindicatepercentagechange(pretreatmentgroupsvs.controlandposttreatmentgroupsvs.respective
pretreatment groups).
aP<.01 vs. control group.
bP<.001 vs. pretreatment group.
Shukla. Mucuna pruriens improves fertility. Fertil Steril 2008.
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Shukla et al.
Mucuna pruriens improves fertility
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Fertility and Sterility?
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