ANTIFERTILITY EFFECT OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF INDIGOFERA TRIFOLIATA LEAVES ON REPRODUCTIVE ABILITIES OF FEMALE ALBINO RATS

The present work deals with antifertility effect of the aqueous extract of Indigofera trifoliata leaves in female albino rats. Pregnant rats weighing 120 to 200 gm were randomized into 4 groups. From day 11 upto day 15 of pregnancy, rats were laprotomised on 10^th day of pregnancy and live fetuses were observed in both the horns of the uterus. Rats in group 1 (control) were orally administered, with 0.5 ml of distilled water once daily while those in group 2 to 4 (experimental groups) were administered 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight doses of aqueous extract of I. trifoliata leaves respectively. Then the animals were allowed to go full term. The effect of aqueous extract of I. trifoliata leaveson estrogenic and antiestrogenic activity and estrous cycle was observed to confirm the antifertility activity. The aqueous extract of I. trifoliata leavesexhibited significant antifertility activity (28.50 to 92.30%). It was found that the extract significantly reduced the number of live fetuses, whereas the resorption index and post implantation losses increased significantly. The % of abortion was found to be highest (92.30%) with 500 mg/kg dose of aqueous extract of I. trifoliata leaves. In ovariectomized immature young rats, the extract showed significant estrogenic effect (vaginal opening, vaginal cornification and increased uterine weight) and also prolonged the estrous cycle.