Antifertility activity of Luk Maghsool (Laccifer lacca Kerr) was evaluated in terms of its antiovulatory and estrogenic/ ant estrogenic activity. In first test the cyclic female Wistar rats were divided into four groups of six each. The animals in plain control received 1ml of 0.5% CMC suspended in distilled water while animals in test group A and B were treated with Luk processed by hot water (LMW) in the dos of 470 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg, respectively. Test group C was given Luk processed with the decoction of Izkhir and Rewand Chini (LMIR) (800 mg/kg). Second test was carried out in 21days old female rats. Animals were treated with LMW and LMIR (800 mg/kg each) and served as test group A and B, respectively. The animals in standard group were treated with ethinyl estradiole (0.02 mg/kg). In all the experiments, treatment was given once a day orally. In the antiovulatory experiment the treatment continued for 15 days and the vaginal smear were monitored throughout the study. On 16th day animals were sacrificed; ovaries and uteri were weighted; one ovary was subjected to histological studies and other for estimation of cholesterol. Estrogenic nature of Luk was evaluated by noting the times taken for vagina to completely open after 7 days of treatment.

A significant (p<0.05) increase in duration of estrus cycle and diestrus phase, with decrease in proestrus (P<0.01) and estrus (P<0.05) phase was observed in animals treated with LMIR. There was notable decrease in body weight and a significant (P<0.01) increase in ovarian tissue cholesterol in test group B and C. Uterine weight was also found to be increased in test groups. Luk also exhibited significant (P<0.01) estrogenic activity assessed by immature vaginal opening. It can be concluded that Luk interferes normal ovulation possibly by virtue of its estrogenic effect.