Lepidium meyenii (Maca) reduces spermatogenic damage induced by a single dose of malathion in mice

Eduardo Bustos-Obregón, Sandra Yucra, Gustavo F. Gonzales
Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile and Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura and Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy,
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
Abstract
Aim: To observe the effect of the aqueous extract of hypocotyls of the plant Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on spermatogenic
damage induced by the organophosphate insecticide malathion in mice. Methods: Mice were treated with 80 mg.kg–1 of malathion in the presence or absence of an aqueous extract of Maca, which was orally administered 7, 14 or 21 days after injection of the malathion. Stages of the seminiferous epithelium were assessed by transillumination on days 0, 7, 14 and 21. Results: The administration of Maca increased significantly the length of stage VIII on days 7, 14 and 21 of treatment compared with the controls. An increase in the length of stage IX occurred on day 14 of treatment. Malathion affected spermatogenesis by reducing the lengths of stage IX on day 7, stages VII and IX–XI on day 14 and a recovery of stages IX–XII on day 21. The magnitude of alteration in the length of stage IX produced by malathion was significantly reduced by Maca on days 7 and 14. The length of stage VIII was increased when Maca was administered to mice treated with malathion. Assessment of the relative length of stages of the seminiferous epithelium showed that Maca treatment resulted in rapid recovery of the effect of malathion.
Conclusion: Maca enhances spermatogenesis following spermatogenic damage caused by the organophosphorous pesticide. (Asian J Androl 2005 Mar; 7: 71–76)
Keywords: malathion; spermatogenesis; Lepidium meyenii (Maca); mice; seminiferous epithelium stages

Acute and Chronic Dosing of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on Male Rat Sexual Behavior

Aaron Lentz, MD,* Karla Gravitt, BSc, * Culley C. Carson, MD, and * Lesley Marson, PhD

Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

Introduction. The use of natural remedies for the treatment of sexual disorders is under current investigation. For generations people of the rural community in Peru have used Lepidium meyenii Walpers (Maca), because of their belief that it improves fertility and sexual desire.

Aim. To determine the acute and chronic effects of Maca on male sexual behavior and to examine chronic administration of Maca on anxiety.

Main Outcome Measures. Ejaculatory and mounting behavior and postejaculatory interval. Anxiety tests using an elevated plus maze, locomotion, and social interaction with another male.

Methods. Maca (25 and 100 mg/kg) was orally administered to male rats for 30 days. Male sexual behavior was monitored after acute, 7 and 21 days of treatment. Anxiety behavior and locomotion were measured at 28–29 days using the elevated plus maze and social interaction tests.

Results. Maca treatment did not produce large changes in male sexual behavior. However, an increase in ejaculation latency and postejaculatory interval was observed after both acute and 7 days of treatment. After 21 days of treatment Maca had no effect on sexual behavior. Chronic administration of Maca did not increase locomotion or anxiety.

Conclusion. Acute and short-term administration of Maca produced a small effect of rat male sexual behavior and long-term administration did not increase anxiety. Lentz A, Gravitt K, Carson CC, and Marson L. Acute and chronic dosing of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on male rat sexual behavior. J Sex Med 2007;4:332–340.