Nabil A. Khouri

Effects of orchids (Orchis anatolica) on reproductive function and fertility in adult male mice

AimsThe aim of the present study was to determine the effect of orchid bulbs on the reproductive system of male albino mice.MethodsOrchid bulb extract was fed to 20 male albino mice (5 g/mouse/day) for 35 days and compared with a similar number of mice as controls. Total testicular germ cell population, histometrical parameters, serum blood biochemistry and hormonal assay were determined.ResultsThe ingestion of orchid bulb by mice induced a significant increase in the following parameters: (i) testes and seminal vesicle weights; (ii) number of different testicular germ cell population including interstitial Leydig cells and fibroblasts; and (iii) testicular cell linage dynamics obtained from testes and cauda epidydimides. An important finding was that the ingestion of the orchid diet by male mice increased their fertility. This was indicated by an elevation in the number of impregnated females when allowed to mate with treated mice, an increase in the impregnation sites, and an increase in the number of viable fetuses and the offspring’s male/female ratio. A slight significant increase in the testosterone and follicular stimulating hormone titers in the treated mice were found in their blood serum. In contrast, a decrease in the number of degenerating cells was observed.ConclusionsOrchid bulb treatment might play an important role in improving male reproductive potential and fertility.

Orchis anatolica Root Ingestion Improves Sexual Motivation and Performance in Male Rats

Orchis anatolica Boiss. is a plant species that grows in the Mediterranean region and assumed to have an aphrodisiac property. This study investigates the effects of ingestion of dried O. anatolica root on the sexual behavior and weights of reproductive organs in adult male rats. Sexually active male rats were divided into two groups (control and experimental). O. anatolica root powder was orally administered to the experimental group in a daily dose of 1g/kg for thirty days. The sexual behavior was then monitored and compared between O. anatolica treated rats and control rats. Weights of reproductive organs and testosterone serum levels were, also, measured for both treated and control rats. O. anatolica root ingestion significantly reduced the mount, intromission, and ejaculation latencies. Also, a significant increase in the copulatory efficacy was reported. Weights of reproductive organs and testosterone serum levels were significantly increased in O. anatolica treated rats compared to controls. The present study concludes that continuous ingestion of O. anatolica root over a period of thirty days can improve the sexual motivation and performance in adult male rats. This effect can be ascribed to increased testosterone level.

Comparative effects of Orchis anatolica vs. the red Korean Panax ginseng treatments on testicular structure and function of adult male mice.

Abstract Background: The effects of Orchis anatolica plant roots on adult male mice testicular structure and function were explored and compared with those of the red Korean Panax ginseng. Methods: Both plants were administered orally to two separate mice groups at a dose of 800 mg/kg/day for 35 days and compared with control group. After treatment, 5 mice of each group were sacrificed and total mice weights, reproductive organs’ weights, spermatogenesis, and androgenic serum markers were investigated. The remaining mice from all groups were allowed to mate with virgin female mice to explore male fertility potential. Results: Results indicated that body and organs’ weights were increased significantly in mice treated with Orchis anatolica where only slight changes were observed in red Korean Panax ginseng treated and control mice. Intestinal testicular Leydig cells and germinal cells counts were elevated significantly in mice treated with Orchis anatolica plant when compared with the other two groups. Testicular dynamics parameters recorded in both testes and caudae epididymides were found to be increased only in Orchis anatolica treated mice. Although testosterone serum titer was observed to be elevated in both treated mice groups a marked elevation was observed only in Orchis anatolica treated mice. Follicular stimulating hormone blood serum titer was also elevated obtained in Orchis anatolica treated mice when compared with the other two groups. The fertility index of male mice treated with Orchis anatolica plant was enhanced to a greater value when allowed mating with virgin female mice if compared with male mice fertility index recorded in the other two groups. Conclusions: We can conclude that Orchis anatolica plant could be more useful to improve testicular functions and structural parameters in mice when compared with red Korean Panax ginseng.