title: Ultrastructural changes in cauda epididymidal epithelial cell types of Azadirachta indica leaf treated rats.
abstract: To assess if cauda epididymis is a target for the effect of A. indica leaves, Wistar strain male albino rats were administered (po) A. indica leaves (100 mg/rat/day for 24 days). Transmission electron microscopic analysis revealed that in the cauda epididymal epithelium the nuclei of principal cells were enlarged and the number of coated micropinocytotic vesicles of the apical cytoplasm decreased. Microvilli were missing and mitochondrial cristae and Golgi complex were highly disrupted. The cytoplasm was abounding with lysosomal bodies. The clear cells increased in perimeter and their nuclei increased in size and contained lesser chromatin. The nuclear membrane bulged out. The cytoplasm was vacuolized. Further, there was decrease in size of the lipid droplets, mitochondria, Golgi complex, endoplasmic reticulum and there was accumulation of lysosomal bodies. The changes in the principal and clear cells appear to be due to the effect of the hypoandrogen status caused by treatment with A. indica leaves and a direct action on the epididymal epithelium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Post-Graduate Studies & Research in Zoology, Karnatak University, Dharwad, India.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Ghodesawar
authors.forename: R Nazeer
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Ahamed
authors.forename: A W Mukhtar
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Aladakatti
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D031601:Azadirachta / Q000737:chemistry*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D010936:Plant Extracts