Khat plant 'boosts sperm power'

[N.O.R.F]

I have a feeling this has been posted before but anyway,,,,,,,

 

A chemical found in the khat plant could boost the power of men's sperm, researchers have found.

Lab tests by King's College London found treated sperm became fertile faster, and stayed fertile for longer, than untreated sperm.

Khat is mild narcotic, producing a high when chewed, but its use has been linked to long-term problems.

The study was presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology conference in Berlin.

The researchers say their findings could lead to products to help couples conceive.

 

It might be relatively easy to develop products

 

Lynn Fraser, King's College London

 

Chewing khat leaves, which is particuarly popular in parts of East Africa, releases cathinone, a stimulant that produces the feelings of euphoria linked with the plant.

When cathinone is broken down in the body, it produces chemicals including cathine and norephedrine, which have a similar structure to amphetamines and adrenaline.

The researchers from the Centre for Reproduction, Endocrinology and Diabetes at King's College examined the effect of cathine on mouse sperm.

They found that the chemical accelerated the development of sperm, so it reached the stage where it was fertile more quickly.

It then remained in this stage for longer than normal.

This is important because, when sperm meets an egg, it needs to connect using a "lock and key" system.

If is past its 'peak', and its membranes are no longer intact, sperm will not have its part of this mechanism, meaning fertilisation cannot take place.

Investigation

Early tests on human sperm suggest it is affected by cathine in the same way.

Other studies in rabbits have shown chewing khat leaves could also increased sperm production.

However, there is some concern that prolonged use could actually damage sperm.

Around seven tonnes of khat leaves are estimated to be imported into the UK each week.

The Home Office is currently investigating the plant's long-term health effects, following concern it may be linked to heart and mental health problems.

It is due to report later this year.

'Not a high dose'

The researchers say they will now carry out more analysis of human sperm.

Lynn Fraser, Professor of Reproductive Biology at King's College London, told BBC News Online: "It might be relatively easy to develop products.

"Compounds related to the ones we studied are being used in over-the-counter and prescription medicines, for dietary treatments and asthma."

"And the amount that's required isn't that high, so it's not a question of taking very high doses and therefore becoming overstimulated."

She said khat-based products could be used to help couples who are having trouble conceiving naturally, and in clinics as additives to sperm used in IVF or artificial insemination.

Professor Fraser said if the research on cathine improving sperm production was proven: "We could give it to men to improve sperm production, and to women because it is in the female reproductive tract that the sperm go through this process to become fertile."

[STOIC]

^^^give me the source Notherner!

[Qac Qaac]

oh man.. it could have one good thing.. but i am sure the bad outweighs the good.. if the harm outweighs the benefit.. we stop it..

[Haaraahur.]

What was moral story of this post, northerner? I am sure you know the problems khat is causing to our country. How inconsiderate of you! :mad: :mad:

[N.O.R.F]

it was an email, i dont have the source.

 

I'm not condoning khaat by posting it, but can the properties of Khaat be used for fertility type treatments? Research is probably going ahead. Someone is going to make a killing by selling to GlaxoSmithKline rather than the merfishs soon. :cool:

[STOIC]

^^^ Now if you had the source we will have avoided the patent infringement during early-stage research.The pharmaceutical companies will have negotiated the license with the traders(Somali ).It will have been a dose of viagra to the pharmaceutical industry if we had the source .

[-Serenity-]

I'm always attributed the less than standard achievement of Somali kids in school the condition of their fathers at the time of conception.

 

Might increase quantity, but quality is diminished.

[N.O.R.F]

I'm always attributed the less than standard achievement of Somali kids in school the condition of their fathers at the time of conception.

looooooool

 

Source

 

By Caroline Ryan

BBC News Online health staff in Berlin

Stoic there is your source.

[STOIC]

^^^Thanks for the source, now i can brag around the lab that i work at and tell them for once we have at our possesion a "research tool" .In the scientific world today there could be a chilling effect if people will not be compensated for their "research tool".I will wait for the report that is due late this year! We have the "research tool"folks

[Haaraahur.]

Northerner

I am not saying you are condoning it but you take this email of yours to whatever region of Somalia you are from and watch the response!

 

You will have khat chewing marqaan black teethed men using it as part of shukaansi because you know how naively they trust western scientists. They will probably hallucinate thinking they have become super lovers and continue with this menace! :mad:

[Jacpher]

Sucdi,

 

They already do that right.......?

 

What would a research do for them when in fact they consume qat daily? Are you saying more women will be tricked?

[Castro]

While I might be willing to concede the above premise is true, pending verification of the said study, I will state from personal experience that it doesn't really matter what it does for "sperm power" as long as qaad continues to disable the delivery mechanism of such sperm.

 

Cheers,

Ofleh "formerly on a regular diet of qaad!"