Professor Nwafor Arthur

This present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of ricinus communis ethanol extract on serum prolactin, LH and FSH levels in bromocriptine-induced hypoprolactinemia in female albino rats. A total of thirty female albino rats divided into 5 groups (Groups I, II, III, IV and V) consisting of 6 rats in each group were used for the study. Group I served as Control, while II, III, IV and V served as experimental groups. The experimental groups received 10mg/kg of bromocriptine orally at interval of 6 hours daily for 4 weeks. Groups III, IV and V were given respectively 200mg/kg/day, 500mg/kg/day and 900mg/kg/day of ricinus communis orally for 4 weeks. Group I received distilled water and normal rat chow. Results showed statistically significant decrease in prolactin level (P < 0.05) in rats treated with ricinus communis extract. There was statistically significant increase in serum LH and FSH levels (P < 0.05) in rats treated with ricinus communis extract. The present study suggested that ricinus communis extract in a dose related pattern significantly lowered serum prolactin level but caused a significant increase serum LH and FSH levels respectively in bromocriptine induced hypoprolactinemia in female rats.