Mosaic-cellular patterns of seminiferous tubules in rats gavaged Momordica charantia for four intervallic spermatogenic phases
Oshiozokhai Eboetse Yama; Cressie Carmel Noronha; Abayomi Olugbenga Okanlawon
J. Morphol. Sci., vol.28, n4, p.0, 2011
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Abstract
Introduction: The male contraceptive effect of the methanolic seed extract of Momordica charantia (MC) has been studied but the parallel microscopic testicular response is yet to be described. Methodology: A total of 100, 6-8 weeks’ old male Sprague-Dawley (S-D) rats were used in this study. They were distributed into three groups A to C. Group A: treated daily with MC extract (50 mg.100 g–1) based on their individual weights. Group B: rats were pre-treated with MC extract (50 mg.100 g–1) between 8-40 weeks and later distilled water for 8 weeks. They were compared with rats in the control group C gavaged daily equal volumes of distilled water. The total experimental duration was 48 weeks. Rats were sacrificed after the last dose extract/distilled water was administered; the testes were harvested and processed for histology. Results: The testicular sections were compared to control. Group A showed a duration dependent distortions, with diminished tubular epithelium and luminal hypo-cellularity. The interstitial spaces appeared markedly reduced with few Leydig cells. The histological sections after cessation of extract administration showed a ‘mosaic’ pattern of increasing recovery towards baseline control. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated a time dependent reversible alterations in the morphologies seminiferous tubules of the testes treated with MC (50 mg.100 g–1).
Keywords
Momordica charantia, Sprague-Dawley, testis, seminiferous tubule