الفهرس 
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Abstract
Vinpocetine (Vinporal®) is a valuable cardiovascular agent in cerebral insufficiencies. It increases cerebral vascularity, which was reported to influence endocrine glands vascularity in the brain and consequently hormone secretory activity of the pituitary gland. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of prolonged vinpocetine administration of the reproductive performance of (immature, mature, aged) male and female mice.
Five experiments were carried out:-
The first experiment:
Cerebral vasodilator effect of vinpocetine as indicated by Evans blue dye concentration in the brain.
Six adult male albino mice (3 saline and 3vinpocetine treated mice with 15mg vinpocetine/kg body weight for 45 days) were used. At the end of the 45 days treatment and 2 hours before sacrifice of mice, Evans blue dye (1% in sterile saline ) was injected s/c in each mice of control or vinpocetine treated group at a dose 800µl. After 2 hours, the mice were anesthetized by ether then the brain was exteriorized. Concentration of Evans blue dye was spectrophotometrically estimated in the brain homogenate supernatant of both control and treated groups at a wave length 620 nm.
Results indicated significant increase of Evans blue dye concentration in brain homogenate of vinpocetine treated mice as compared to control values which reflect increased permeability of the blood brain barrier to Evans blue dye and consequently increased cerebral blood content.
The second experiment:
The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of cerebral enhancer (vinpocetine) on some reproductive functions, plasma enzymes activity and testosterone hormone level in immature male mice.
Two groups each of 9 immature male mice (45 days old) were daily injected with i.p. dose of 0.1 ml saline / mice for 45 days(control) or with a dose of 0.1 ml saline containing 15mg vinpocetine/kg body weight . Body weight of all animals was recoded weekly starting from the first week. At the end of experiment the animal were scarified and the reproductive organs and epididymal fat weighted. Blood samples were collected for plasma enzymes and testosterone hormone measurements.
Results showed significant decrease in body weight of vinpocetine group. Weight of reproductive organ and testosterone level were not significantly changed.
The third experiment:
The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of cerebral enhancer (vinpocetine) on some reproductive functions, plasma enzymes activity and testosterone hormone level in mature male mice.
Two groups each of 9 mature male mice (90 days old) were daily injected with i.p. dose of 0.1 ml saline / mice for 45 days (control) or with a dose of 0.1 ml saline containing 15mg vinpocetine /kg body weight . Body weight of all animals was recoded weekly starting from the first week. At the end of experiment the animal were scarified and the reproductive organs and epididymal fat weighted. Blood samples were collected for plasma enzymes and testosterone hormone measurements.
Results showed significant increase in epididyaml fat, seminal vesicle weight, sperm motility (%) and testosterone hormone level of vinpocetine group as compared to control saline treated group.
The fourth experiment:
The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of cerebral enhancer (vinpocetine) on some reproductive functions, plasma enzymes activity and testosterone hormone level in aged male mice.
Two groups each of 6 aged male mice (18 month old) were daily injected with (I.P) dose of 0.1 ml saline / mice for 45 days(Control) or with a dose of 0.1 ml saline containing 15mg vinpocetine/kg body weight . Body weight of all animals was recoded weekly starting from the first week. At the end of experiment the animal were scarified and the reproductive organs and epididymal fat weighted. Blood samples were collected for plasma enzymes and testosterone hormone measurements.
Results showed significant increase in epididyaml fat, seminal vesicle weight, sperm motility (%) and testosterone hormone level of vinpocetine group as compared to saline treated group.
The fifth experiment:
The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of vinpocetine administration on the fertility of mature male and female mice. Its effect on pregnancy was also studied.
Sixteen females were allocated into two groups 8 mice each group. Saline treated group and a treated group injected i.p. daily with a dose of 15mg vinpocetine /kg body weight. Injections were started two weeks before mating and continued till delivery. The body weights of all animals was recoded at weekly intervals.
Four mature male mice were allocated into two groups each of 2 mice as following:
Saline control males, saline control females, vinpocetine treated males and vinpocetine treated females. Vinpocetine was administered i.p. for 45 days at15mg/kg body weight.
In each trial one male was paired with four females in a separate cage for 5 days according to the following schedule:
- Control male paired with control female.
- Control male paired with treated female.
- Treated male paired with control female.
- Treated male paired with treated female.
Results showed that vinpocetine treated females had significantly higher pregnancy rate and number of feti / pregnant females while body weights of pregnant vinpocetine treated mice was significantly decreased as compared to control values.
In conclusion:
The results of the present study points to a possible favorable effect of vinpocetine administration on the reproductive performance of mature female and male mice. This effect is suggested to be mediated through the well documented cerebro vasodilator effect of vinpocetine and its possible enhancing effect on the secretory activity of the pituitary gland through increase in its vascular blood flow.