Effects of piperine on testis of albino rats.
Piperine was administered to mature male albino rats at doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg body weight, p.o., respectively, for 30 days. Only a 10 mg dose of piperine treatment caused a significant reduction in the weights of testis and accessory sex organs. Histological studies revealed that piperine at a 5 mg dose caused partial degeneration of germ cell types, whereas at a 10 mg dose, it caused severe damage to the seminiferous tubule, decrease in seminiferous tubular and Leydig cell nuclear diameter and desquamation of spermatocytes and spermatids. Correlated to the structural changes, a fall in caput and cauda epididymal sperm concentrations was also evident. A 10 mg dose of piperine also caused a marked increase in serum gonadotropins and a decrease in intratesticular testosterone concentration, despite normal serum testosterone titres.
Malini
T
T
Department of Endocrinology, Dr ALM Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Taramani, Madras, India.
Manimaran
R R
RR
Arunakaran
J
J
Aruldhas
M M
MM
Govindarajulu
P
P
D000021:Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000470:Alkaloids; D000818:Animals; D052117:Benzodioxoles; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004798:Enzymes / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000097:blood; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000187:drug effects; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism
D000021:Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal; D000470:Alkaloids; D052117:Benzodioxoles; D004798:Enzymes; D006062:Gonadotropins; D010880:Piperidines; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D013739:Testosterone; C008922:piperine