Ethnopharmacological relevance: Due to renowned medicinal properties, Ginger rhizomes (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) used traditionally in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism, muscular aches, constipation, hypertension, dementia, fever, and infectious diseases. As an antiemetic, Ginger is consumed by approximately 80% of pregnant women to treat nausea and vomiting of early pregnancy.

Aim of the study: This study designed to evaluate the impact of ginger extract on the estrous cycle and implantation.

Materials and methods: Four experimental episodes were identified. One considered the main study of outcomes and lasted 90 days; one lasted 35 days and considered the estrous cycle; while the third and fourth intended antifertility and abortifacient and continued 20 days for each. Mice dosed Ginger orally at 0, 11.4, 22.9, 34.3or 51.4 mg/kgbw/day (GNC, GN1, GN2, GN3, GN4, respectively).

Results: GN3 and GN4 dams showed maternal toxicity. High dose significantly reduced the number of live fetuses and increased fetal death and resorption. Mice treated with 51.4 mg/kgbw/day displayed significant decreases in implantation sites. At a dose of 51.4 mg/kgbw/day, Ginger prolonged the length of estrous cycle with a significant decrease in the duration of diestrous-metestrus (luteal) phase, prolonged proestrus-estrus (ovulatory) phase and reduced the number of cycles as well. Therefore, Ginger impair the normal growth of corpus luteum because of progesterone insufficiency during early pregnancy.The observed-adverse-effect dose set at 51.4 mg/kgbw, but no-observed-adverse-effect dose set at 11.4 and 22.9 mg/kgbw.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that Ginger can disrupt the estrous cycle and blastocyst implantation without teratogenesis.