Ginger causes subfertility and abortifacient in mice by targeting both estrous cycle and blastocyst implantation without teratogenesis.
BACKGROUND
Due to renowned medicinal properties, Ginger rhizomes (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) used traditionally in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism, muscular aches, constipation, indigestion, hypertension, dementia, fever, and infectious diseases. As an antiemetic, Ginger is consumed by approximately 80% of pregnant women to treat nausea and vomiting of early pregnancy.


PURPOSE
The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of ginger extract on the oestrous cycle and implantation in female mice.


STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
Four experimental episodes were identified. One considered the main study of outcomes and lasted 90 days; one lasted 35 days and considered the oestrous cycle; while the third and fourth intended antifertility and abortifacient and continued 20 days for each. Mice dosed Ginger orally at 0, 250, 500, 1000 or 2000  mg/kgbw/day (GNC, GN1, GN2, GN3, GN4, respectively).


RESULTS
GN3 and GN4 dams showed maternal toxicity. High dose significantly reduced the number of live fetuses and increased fetal death and resorption. Mice treated with 2000  mg/kgbw/day displayed significant decreases in implantation sites. At a dose of 2000  mg/kgbw/day, Ginger prolonged the length of oestrous cycle with a significant decrease in the duration of diestrous-metestrus (luteal) phase, prolonged proestrus-estrus (ovulatory) phase and reduced the number of cycles as well. Therefore, Ginger impairs the normal growth of corpus luteum because of progesterone insufficiency during early pregnancy. The observed-adverse-effect dose set at 2000  mg/kgbw, but no-observed-adverse-effect dose set at 250 and 500  mg/kgbw.


CONCLUSION
These findings suggest that Ginger can disrupt the oestrous cycle and blastocyst implantation without teratogenesis.
['ElMazoudy|Reda H|RH|', 'Attia|Azza A|AA|']
D000019:Abortifacient Agents D000818:Animals D010064:Embryo Implantation D030762:Estrous Cycle D005260:Female D020939:Ginger D051379:Mice D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR D010936:Plant Extracts D011247:Pregnancy D064793:Teratogenesis
Ginger Estrous cycle Implantation Resorption Fertility Fetus