title: Changes in Sertoli cells of albino rats induced by Azadirachta indica A. Juss leaves.
abstract: Azadirachta indica leaf powder, 0.05 mg testosterone, or combined leaf powder + testosterone was administered for 48 days to different groups of 3-month-old albino rats. Twenty-four hours after the final dose, the treated animals received mild ether anesthesia and the testes were dissected out and processed for light and electron microscope studies. Animals treated with A. indica leaf powder showed damaged tubules and exhibited an abundance of vacuoles, including inter-cellular spaces and intra-epithelial vacuoles of varying size in the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells. Upon treatment with A. indica leaf powder, bridges between Sertoli cells-Sertoli cells and Sertoli cell-germ cells were disturbed, coupled with changes in the Sertoli cells and cytoplasm along with its organelles. We suggest that the anti-androgenic property of A. indica leaves probably affects Sertoli cells, followed by the degeneration of germ cells, resulting in exfoliation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Post-Graduate Studies & Research in Zoology Karnatak University, Dharwad 580003, India.
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Aladakatti
authors.forename: R Nazeer
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Ahamed
mesh_terms: D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D031601:Azadirachta / Q000737:chemistry*; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D016707:Tissue Fixation; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013739:Testosterone