Lepidium meyenii (Maca) varieties did not alter female reproductive parameters in adult intact rats

The main goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of three different varieties of Lepidium meyenii (Black, Yellow and Red Maca) during seven estrous cycles in rats. Adult female rats (n=8 per group) were treated with freeze-dried aqueous extract of each maca variety (1 g/kg) during 28 days. The duration of each phase of the estrous cycle and body weight was determined. Animals were sacrificed in first estrous phase after seven estrous cycles and the number of ova from oviduct, wet uterine and body weight and estradiol levels were recorded. Total polyphenols content found in black, yellow and red maca freeze-dried was 0.56, 0.57 and 0.58 g/100g of lyophilized respectively. The maca varieties did not affect any phase of estrous cycle, number of ova recovered within oviduct, serum estradiol levels, wet uterine and body weights as compared with control group (vehicle). Three varieties of maca did not present effects on the regulation of the number of ova released at ovulation in adult intact female rats.