The "maca", Lepidium meyenii Walp, is a peruvian native plant and resource with a wide nutritional value. Several investigations had been realized in the last decade to probe the "maca" effects on the mammals fertility. In this work, we assessed the effects of lyophilizade aqueous extract of L. meyenii on the preimplantational embryos of Mus musculus. Two concentrations of 0 g/Kg (control group) and 1 g/Kg of body weight of lyophilizade aqueous extract were supplied to two groups of pregnant female mice, respectively from day 1 to day 4 of pregnancy. The stage of development, conditions and embryo morphology were evaluated. We found that lyophilizade aqueous extract of "maca" cause no toxics effects on the normal development of the preimplantational mouse embryos.

The "maca", Lepidium meyenii Walp, is a peruvian native plant and resource with a wide nutritional value. Several investigations had been realized in the last decade to probe the "maca" effects on the mammals fertility. In this work, we assessed the effects of lyophilizade aqueous extract of L. meyenii on the preimplantational embryos of Mus musculus. Two concentrations of 0 g/Kg (control group) and 1 g/Kg of body weight of lyophilizade aqueous extract were supplied to two groups of pregnant female mice, respectively from day 1 to day 4 of pregnancy. The stage of development, conditions and embryo morphology were evaluated. We found that lyophilizade aqueous extract of "maca" cause no toxics effects on the normal development of the preimplantational mouse embryos.

The use of medicinal plants for the treatment of illnesses is widely known. However, there are not many scientific reports about the properties of these plants and their side effects. In this study, the effect of the aqueous extract of Origanum vulgare on the preimplantational mouse embryo development was investigated. The oregano aqueous extract was given ad libitum to four separated groups (n= 10) of pregnant mice: O, 9, 18 y 36 mg/mL respectively. When the embryos were evaluated, a slight delay in the embryo development was observed, but only with the highest dose. With respect to embryo quality, an increase of degenerated embryos was observed but this was not significant. These results showed that the aqueous extract of O. vulgare does not have a toxic effect on preimplantational mouse embryo, and it only produces a slight delay in embryo development.

The toxic effects of aquous extract of Picrosia longifolia Don “achicoria” on preimplantational mouse embryo development were evaluated. Aquous extract of P. longifolia to 20%, 10% and 0% (control group) was supplied to pregnant mice to 86 hours post-copula (hpc). When embryonic stage was evaluated, we found that aquous extract of P. longifolia to 10% and 20% causes delay in embryo development. Also the embryonic viability declined in treated groups with achicoria.

The use of medicinal plants for the treatment of illnesses is widely known. However, there are not many scientific reports about the properties of these plants and their side effects. In this study, the effect of the aqueous extract of Origanum vulgare on the preimplantational mouse embryo development was investigated. The oregano aqueous extract was given ad libitum to four separated groups (n= 10) of pregnant mice: O, 9, 18 y 36 mg/mL respectively. When the embryos were evaluated, a slight delay in the embryo development was observed, but only with the highest dose. With respect to embryo quality, an increase of degenerated embryos was observed but this was not significant. These results showed that the aqueous extract of O. vulgare does not have a toxic effect on preimplantational mouse embryo, and it only produces a slight delay in embryo development.

The toxic effects of aquous extract of Picrosia longifolia Don “achicoria” on preimplantational mouse embryo development were evaluated. Aquous extract of P. longifolia to 20%, 10% and 0% (control group) was supplied to pregnant mice to 86 hours post-copula (hpc). When embryonic stage was evaluated, we found that aquous extract of P. longifolia to 10% and 20% causes delay in embryo development. Also the embryonic viability declined in treated groups with achicoria.