title: The inhibitory effects on adult male reproductive functions of crude garlic (Allium sativum) feeding.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to investigate the effects of crude garlic on adult male rat reproductive functions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty male rats were divided into five groups: group 1 (untreated) and groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 were fed for 30 days with 5%, 10%, 15% and 30% crude garlic, respectively. Testes and accessory organs were weighed and some markers were assessed. Light and electron microscopy observations were also performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant decrease was observed in the body weight of groups 4 (14%; P < 0.01) and 5 (20%; P < 0.01); of the prostate weight in group 5 (29.1%; P < 0.05) and of seminal vesicle weight in groups 3 (14.4%; P < 0.01), 4 (18.3%; P < 0.01) and 5 (27.3%; P < 0.01). In contrast, testis and epididymis weights were unchanged. In epididymis tissue, the alpha glucosidase activity and the spermatozoa density were unchanged. The treatment resulted in a significant decrease in testosterone serum levels in groups 3 (77.3%; P < 0.01), 4 (77.3%; P < 0.01) and 5 (90.9%; P < 0.01), associated with a significant increase in LH serum levels (P < 0.01). Testicular histology showed a dose-dependent increase in the percentage of empty seminiferous tubules. Moreover, testicular function was affected; a significant decrease in phosphatase acid activity (P < 0.01) and testosterone (P < 0.05) contents were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Crude garlic consumption during 1 month reduced testosterone secretion and altered spermatogenesis at 10%, 15% and 30% doses.
authors: Research Unity 01/UR/08-07, Faculty of Medicine, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors: Imen
authors: I
authors: Hammami
authors: Afef
authors: A
authors: Nahdi
authors: Claire
authors: C
authors: Mauduit
authors: Mohamed
authors: M
authors: Benahmed
authors: Mohamed
authors: M
authors: Amri
authors: Awatef
authors: A
authors: Ben Amar
authors: Semy
authors: S
authors: Zekri
authors: Ahmed
authors: A
authors: El May
authors: Michele Veronique
authors: MV
authors: El May
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005737:Garlic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011467:Prostate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013076:Sperm Count; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D028321:Plant Preparations; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone