Aim: To investigate the effect of crude garlic feeding on testicular structure of adult male albino rats.
Methods: A number of 45 adult male albino rats were used in this study. They were divided into three groups (15 rats each): group 1 (control) and group 2, 3 were fed pellets containing garlic at doses 5% and15% respectively daily for 4 weeks. All the rats were killed by large dose of ether anesthesia. Cardiac blood sample was taken from each rat and then put into a sterile tube for measurement of serum testosterone level. The testes were dissected out and weighted. Light and electron microscopic observations were performed for testicular tissue.
Results: A marked decrease in serum testosterone level and decrease in the weight of the testes were observed in group 3, the testicular histology of this group showed loss of the homogenous distribution of the seminiferous tubules with reduced number of Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells, with absence of spermatids and mature spermatozoa in the lumen of the tubules. Some tubules showed degenerative changes and vacuoles in the spermatogenic cells with few fragmented sperms in the lumen and increased thickness of seminiferous tubules basement membrane. The interstitial tissue between the tubule was thick; the interstitial artery was congested and showed endothelial proliferation. The Leydig cells appear darkly stained with degeneration. The electron micrograph of the testes group 3 showed degenerated spermatogenic cells with many vacuoles, fat droplets, abnormal nuclei, swollen mitochondria and dilated endoplasmic reticulum. Also fragmented sperms can be seen. No significant changes were observed in group 2.
Conclusion: Crude garlic feeding at dose 15% for four weeks showed a decrease in serum testosterone level and affects the structure of the testis with disruption of normal spermatogenesis in adult male albino rats.
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