Effects Of Khat Extract And Cathinone On Reproductive Parameters Of Male Rats

Khat (Catha edulis) is extensively used in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It has also become a growing concern in the developed world. Khat is reported to alter reproductive behavior; however, conflicting results have been published in the literature. Khat is shown to increase sexual desire and suggested as an aphrodisiac. Moreover, constituents of khat have been demonstrated to stimulate the final stage of sperm maturation in mouse and human. On the other hand, khat is reported to impair the male reproductive system and also to induce a deleterious effect on morphology, count and motility of sperm. Controversy remains regarding the potential effects and mechanisms by which khat may affect reproductive functions. The aim of this work was therefore to add to the body of evidence by evaluating the effect of crude khat extract and cathinone on reproductive ability of male rats. Male Sprague-Dawely rats were treated with khat extract (100, K100; 200, K200; and 300, K300 mg/kg doses) and cathinone (5 mg/kg, CAT5) intragastrically and subjected to a battery of behavioral tests. This was followed by hormonal analyses, sperm count and morphologic-pathology studies.rnThe results illustrated that khat extract produced a biphasic response on sexual behavior of male rats. Both K200 and K300 decreased parameters showing sexual desire and performance. In contrast, K100 appeared to enhance sexual desire, with parameters showing sexual performance were unchanged. On the other hand, CAT5 seemed to reduce sexual desire and performance. Like sexual behavior, khat extract produced a biphasic effect on serum level of testosterone. Whilst serum level of testosterone was doubled in rats treated K100 (P

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