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The effects of acute administration of Chinese aphrodisiacs sold in Blantyre City on sperm characteristics and fertility profile in guinea pigs
Lampiao, F.; Matambo, E. & Banda, A.
Abstract
Background
Chinese aphrodisiacs have become popular remedy for sexual dysfunction
and improvement of libido in men in Malawi. However, selling of these
drugs seems not to be well regulated. Probably the aphrodisiacs that
are currently on the market have unknown efficacy, potency and safety
profiles. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of imported
Chinese aphrodisiacs using guinea pigs as a model.
Materials and Methods
Two types of drugs were purchased from vendors in Blantyre City. Tonic
tea, which was purported to improve erectile function and libido, and
sperm multiplier tablets which were claimed to increase the sperm count.
The tonic tea was prepared by soaking one tea bag in 100ml boiling water.
The tea was cooled and administered to eight male experimental animals
in varying doses. Each animal was introduced into a separate cage with a
female guinea pig. Sexual behaviour such as mounting, sniffing behind the
female were observed and recorded.
Each sperm multiplier tablet was dissolved in distilled water and
administered to the experimental animals in the morning and evening for
seven days. At the end of the treatment, the experimental and control
animals were sacrificed, their semen collected and analysed sperm motility,
concentration and morphology.
Results
For the tonic tea, there were no statistical differences between the
experimental and the control animals in terms of the number of
mountings and sniffing behind the female. The sperm multiplier drug
showed statistically significant differences between the experimental
and the control animals in terms of the sperm motility (78.24 ± 1.35 vs.
86.54 ± 1.88, p< 0.05), and concentration (54.28 ± 1.24 vs. 67.59 ± 2.12,
p<0.05).
Conclusion
The tonic tea did not show any efficacy in improving erection and libido.
The sperm multiplier tablets, purported to increase sperm production,
significantly increased the sperm motility, sperm concentration in the
treated animals.
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