Antifertility effects of beta-sitosterol in male albino rats

The effects of beta-sitosterol on fertility, epididymal sperm counts and testicular and accessory reproductive organ weights were evaluated in male albino rats. The effects were studied at two dosages (0.5 and 5 mg/kg per day rat subcutaneously) for 16, 32 and 48 days. The antifertility effect of beta-sitosterol was pronounced only at the high dose level, but there was a significant decrease in testicular weight and sperm concentrations after long-term treatment with the low dose of beta-sitosterol. The weights of all accessory sex tissues except caput epididymis increased following low dose sitosterol treatment. High dose treatment reduced the sperm concentrations as well as the weights of testis and accessory sex tissues in a time-dependent manner. Withdrawal of treatment for 30 days restored only the weights of accessory sex tissues to near normal conditions.