The Ameriorating Effects of Grapefruit Seed Extract on Testicular Morphology and Function of Varicocelized Rats

Abstract

SUMMARY:Varicoceles are abnormal tortuosity and dilatation of the veins of the pampiniform plexus that drain the testis.The pathophysiology of testicular damage in varicocele has not been completely understood. However there is an increasing body of evidence pointing towards the role of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of varicocele related subfertility. In the present study we examined the role of proanthocynidin-rich ethanol extract of grapefruit seed as an antioxidant in protecting the testis against damage in experimental varicocele. Three groups of rats were constructed as the first group had intact rats; experimental bilateral varicoceles were established by complete ligation of the left and right main spermatic veins in the later two groups. The third group had in addition daily gavage administration of 10mg/ kg body weight ethanol extract of grapefruit seed. Eight weeks after varicocele induction, bilateral testicular weights, bilateral testicular volumes, bilateral caudal epididymal sperm characteristics, and bilateral testicular histology and serum hormone levels were tested. It was found that the testes of grapefruit seed extract treated animals had better functional and histological profiles compared to the untreated varicocelized animals. These results indicated the effectiveness of grapefruit seed extract for preservation of testes function morphology in varicocelized subjects.

Histomorphology, Sperm Quality and Hormonal Profile in Adult Male Sprague-Dawley Rats following administration of aqueous crude Extract of Solanum nigrum by gastric gavage

“…The testicle was exposed by incising the tunica vaginalis and the cauda epididymis was harvested. The cauda epididymis of rats in each of the experimental group were removed and minced thoroughly in a specimen bottle containing normal saline for a few minutes to allow the sperms to become motile and swim out from the cauda epididymis ( Saalu et al, 2008 ).…”

“…After 5 min incubation at 37ºC (with 5% CO 2 ), the semen was then taken with a 1ml pipette, dropped on a clean slide, and covered with cover slips. The slides were examined under light microscopy for sperm motility ( Saalu et al , 2008 ) and with the aid of the improved Neubauer hemocytometer (Deep1/10mm LABART, Germany) counting chamber, as described by Pant & Srivastava (2003) ; the spermatozoa were counted under the light microscope. The counting was carried out in five thoma chambers.…”

Role of melatonin in mitigating chemotherapy-induced testicular dysfunction in Wistar rats

“…Left testis was used for determination of DSP and biochemical assays and right testis was used for histological studies. The volume of testes was determined using water displacement method as described by Saalu et al (2008). Tissue somatic index (TSI) was calculated using the following formula:…”

Effects of methanoic seed extracts of Mucuna sloanei on male sex hormones and sperm quality in rats

“…Caudal part of the epididymis was removed and placed in a beaker containing 1 ml physiological saline solution and allowed to stand for few minutes to allow spermatozoa swim out of the solution. The sperm count and motility were determined as described by Saalu et al (2008). Briefly, few drops of semen were placed on a slide, two drops of warm 2.9% sodium citrate were added, slide covered with cover slip and examined under the microscope using ×40 objective for sperm motility.…”