Effect of Saponins of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth bark on the reproductive system of male albino rats.
Oral administration of saponins isolated from Albizia lebbeck bark at the dose level of 50 mg/kg/b.w. per day for 60 days to male rats brought about a significant decrease in the weights of testes, epididymides, seminal vesicle and ventral prostate. The production of round spermatid was reduced by 73.04% in Albizia lebbeck treated rats. The population of preleptotene spermatocytes and spermatogonia were reduced by 65.07% and 47.48% and secondary spermatocytes by 73.41%, respectively. Cross sectional surface area of Sertoli cells as well as the cell counts were found to be depleted significantly. Leydig cell nuclear area and number of mature Leydig cells were decreased by 57.47% and 54.42%, respectively. Sperm motility as well as sperm density were reduced significantly. Albizia lebbeck reduced the fertility of male rats by 100%. There were no significant changes in RBC and WBC count, haemoglobin, haematocrit and glucose in the blood and cholesterol, protein, triglyceride and phospholipid in the serum. The protein, glycogen and cholesterol contents of the testes, fructose in the seminal vesicle and protein in epididymides were significantly decreased. Histoarchitecture of the testes showed vacuolization at primary spermatocytes stage. Highly reduced seminiferous tubular diameter and increased intertubular space were also observed when compared to controls.
Gupta
R S
RS
Reproduction Physiology Section, Department of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur 302004, India. gupta_rs@hotmail.com
Chaudhary
Rakesh
R
Yadav
Rajesh K
RK
Verma
Suresh K
SK
Dobhal
M P
MP
D000284:Administration, Oral; D031289:Albizzia / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004822:Epididymis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D011467:Prostate / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012503:Saponins / Q000737:chemistry; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects
D010936:Plant Extracts; D012503:Saponins