Neem Uses Against Rats

Azadirachta indica, more commonly known as neem, is a fast growing tree native to India and other subtropical regions. Extracts produced from the flowers or seeds of the plant have properties that can inhibit the reproduction of rats by interfering with the development and ovulation of eggs. Neem has also been shown to be a "greener" alternative for rat control because it is a non-toxic, ecologically safe alternative to commercial rat poisons.

Green Rat Control

• Neem is a non-hormonal and non-toxic plant derivative that is extensively used to manage rat populations by offering long-lasting and effective rodent control. A study appearing in the September 2008 issue of "African Health Science" investigated the effects of neem for the management of rats. The researchers compared three experimental dosages of neem and found that a preparation of 1 g per kg of body weight caused a marked decrease in the number of eggs released in the rats. The study concluded that the alcoholic extraction of neem flowers was an efficient female contraceptive.

Neem as a Contraceptive

• The extracts of the neem flower have shown promise as a contraceptive by augmenting the estrus cycle of female rats. A study published in the February 2010 issue of the "Pakistan Journal of Biological Science" documented the effects of neem extract over a 14-day period on ovulation. The study showed a significant decrease in body weight, an alteration in the estrus cycle and a decrease in the number of ova, or eggs, released during the cycle.

Neem and Egg Development

• A study appearing in the April 2006 issue of "Fertility and Sterility" determined the influence of neem on the degeneration of oocytes, which is a cell from which an egg develops, using female rats. The researchers studied more that 50 sexually immature rats and injected them with neem extract. After 16 hours, the rats were dissected and the oocytes were collected. The study found that neem extract was effective in causing shrinkage and leakage in the ooctyes leading to death of the cells.

Neem Seeds

• The seeds of the neem plant have also been investigated for their ability to prevent pregnancy in female rats. A study in the June 2005 issue of the "Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research" documented the effects of oil produced from neem seeds on the development of follicles that produce the oocytes in mature females. The study found that the seed extract was sufficient to significantly decrease the number of normally occurring follicles in the rats, and has show usefulness in controlling the reproduction of rat populations.