Animal models for improving reproductive efficiency using medicinal plants: A review

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Science
• Animal Reproduction
• Phytochemistry

Background:

• Male infertility in animals is a growing global concern.
• Herbal medicinal plants are increasingly explored for enhancing male reproductive health.
• Understanding the efficacy and safety of these botanicals is crucial for animal breeding programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize existing research on medicinal plants for male animal fertility.
• To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of specific herbs in improving animal reproductive parameters.
• To identify key plant species with demonstrated benefits for animal spermatogenesis.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across Medline/PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Scopus.
• English articles published between 1983 and 2024 were included.
• Key search terms included "animal fertility," "animal reproductive," "animal spermatogenesis," and "medicinal plants."

Main Results:

• Five medicinal plants showed significant positive effects on animal fertility: *Allium sativum* (garlic), *Apium graveolens* (celery), *Avena sativa* (oats), *Lepidium sativum* (garden cress), and *Spinacia oleracea* (spinach).
• A total of 127 studies were analyzed, focusing on fertility outcomes, phytochemicals, mechanisms of action, and plant characteristics.
• The included plants demonstrated beneficial effects on animal fertility and efficiency.

Conclusions:

• Herbal plants show promise for enhancing male animal fertility.
• Antioxidant properties of these botanicals are likely responsible for their beneficial effects.
• The use of these medicinal plants appears to be safe with no reported adverse effects.