Rajwinder SinghRana, Priyanka2022-12-042022-12-042022Rana, Priyanka (2022). Study on antifertility effect of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum Linn.) on house rat, Rattus rattus (Linn.) (Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation). Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810190351Present study was conducted to investigate anti-fertility effects of fenugreek seed alcoholic extract (FSAE) against male and female Rattus rattus at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2018-20. FSAE treated baits 1, 2 and 3 containing 30, 60 and 90% fenugreek seed powder in WSO bait were fed to rats for 15 days in bi-choice conditions. Results revealed that percent acceptance and mean active ingredient ingested varied from 15.9732.24% and 0.59-1.33 g/kg bwt in R. rattus, respectively in different treatments. Antifeedant index (%) varied from 37.40-67.85% showed development of habituation towards treated baits. Weight of reproductive organs of both sexes was significantly reduced. A significant reduction in progressive sperm motility, concentration, viability and increase in sperm morphological abnormalities in males and significant alternation in length of estrous cycle with prolonged di-estous and shortened estrous stages of females fed on treated bait 3 was recorded. There was significant reduction in number of both germ and sertoli cells in different stages (12) of seminiferous epithelial cycle (identified by haematoxylin-eosin) in male and number of ovarian follicles in ovary, endometrium thickness and diameter of uterine glands in uterus of female. Significant influence on different hormone levels was observed in R. rattus fed on treated bait 3. Reversibility was also recorded after 15 days of termination of treatment. Reduction in breeding success (50%) was recorded as compared to control. FSAE treated bait 3 was further evaluated under indoor grain stores, where active ingredient consumption was 1.18% for 21 days. Due to insufficient consumption of active ingredient, low anti-fertility effect was observed as witnessed by minimum effect in R. rattus reproductive parameters. Present study indicates significant effect of FSAE treated bait 3 (90%) in reducing reproductive potential and inducing sterility in R. rattus under laboratory conditions, but the effect was reversible after 15 days of treatment. To get the field efficacy of FSAE as antifertility agent against R. rattus, the acceptability of FSAE treated bait 3 must be enhanced. So, alcoholic extract of fenugreek seeds (90%) may be used as a potential anti-fertility agent and can be used in Integrated Rodent Control programme.EnglishThesis