The possible protective effect of black seed (Nigella Sativa) oil on the testes of adult male albino rat exposed to noise

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of noise exposure on the histological structure of the adult male albino rat testes and evaluate the possible protective role of black seed (Nigella Sativa) oil on the histological structure of the adult male albino rat testes exposed to noise. This study was conducted to determine the injurious effects of noise on the testis and to show whether black seed oil has any modulatory effect on testicular injury. 40 adult male albino rats were divided into 4 groups. Group A (control group) was kept in an environment free from noise as control group. Group B was exposed to 95 dB of noise for 4 hours daily for duration of 45days. Group C was exposed to 95 dB of noise for 4 hours daily for duration of 45days and given orally black seed oil (5 ml/kg/day) during the period of noise exposure.Group D was kept in an environment free from noise and given orally black seed oil (5 ml/kg/day) for duration of 45days. Histological study was performed on the testes using light microscopy and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Morphometric study was done to measure the height of the spermatogenic cells. The result of the experiment revealed that the spermatogenic cells of group B appeared distorted. Most of the spermatogenic cells had vacuolated cytoplasm. Some of them had degenerated mitochondria and abnormal nuclei. Most of sperms were markedly affected. Their detailed structures couldn't be recognized. Group C showed preservation of the structure of the testes as compared to group B i.e., the spermatogenic cells became easily recognized and were arranged in rows along the basal lamina of the seminiferous tubules. They showed that most of the cytoplasmic vacuolations became absent but some mitochondria showed degeneration. Most of the nuclei of spermatogenic cells appeared similar to group A. There was significant decrease in the height of the spermatogenic cells in group B as compared to group A. In view of these findings, these data strongly suggest that noise stress had adverse effects on the testis of male albino rats. The administration of black seed oil protected the testis against the injurious effect of noise. The probable mechanism and usefulness of black seed oil in reducing the previously mentioned effects were possibly due to its antioxidant effects.