Full Length Research Paper

Effect of fermented seed extract of Carica papaya on litters of female wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Abdulazeez, Mansurah A.¹*, Ameh, Ahmadu D.¹, Ibrahim, Sani¹, Ayo, Joseph O.² and Ambali, Suleiman F.²

¹Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

²Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: mabdulazeez2001@yahoo.co.uk. Tel: +234-803-450-9063. Fax: +234-64-633527.

Accepted 29 December, 2008

This study was performed to determine the effects of fermented seeds of Carica papaya on litters of female Wistar rats, and ascertain its safety as a food condiment. Animals in group one served as control, and were given only water; those in groups two and three were given the aqueous extract of the fermented seeds of C. papaya at 500 and 1500 mg/kg, respectively, from gestation day six to gestation day 15, kept till terms and allowed to litter. Results showed that the percentage increase in weight of rats in the control group was not significant (P<0.05) when compared to those administered the fermented extract at 500 and 1500 mg/kg. There was no significant difference (P<0.05) in litter size and litter body weight in rats within all the groups, compared to the control group. Also, the anogenital distance (AGD) to crown rump length (CRL) ratio in rats dosed with the fermented extract of C. papaya seeds at 500 and 1500 mg/kg was not significantly different from the control group. In conclusion, this study has shown that the fermented seeds of C. papaya seeds does not affect the litters and may be safe as a food condiment.

Key words: Papaya seeds, fermentation, anogenital distance, crown rump length.