title: Potential changes in rat spermatogenesis and sperm parameters after inhalation of Boswellia papyrifera and Boswellia carterii incense.
abstract: In this study the effect of Boswellia papyrifera (B. papyrifera) and Boswellia carterii (B. carterii) smoke exposure on spermatogenesis and sperm parameters in male albino rats was investigated. Rats (n = 11) were exposed daily in smoking chambers to smoke emanated by burning 4 g each of either B. papyrifera or B. carterii for 48 days. At the end of exposure duration rats were killed, and the testes were excised and analysed for histopathological and ultrastructural changes. Sperm analysis including total sperm count, motility, velocity and relative percentage of abnormal sperms were recorded. Rats exposed to B. papyrifera and B. carterii showed significant disturbances in spermatogenetic patterns and changes in sperm kinetics compared to unexposed rats. Atrophied seminiferous tubules with dynamic changes were also noticed. The boundaries of intercellular and intracellular vacuoles were seen in the Sertoli cells. Furthermore, in spermatids acrosomal vesicles were not fully formed. Degenerating spermatids were devoid of their nuclear membrane with electron dense matrix and vacuolization. Structural changes in Leydig cells were observed. Sperm analysis in exposed rats exhibited significant decrease in the sperm count, motility, speed and an increase in sperm anomalies when compare to controls. These findings demonstrate that the B. papyrifera and B. carterii smoke affects the process of spermatogenesis and sperm parameters and indicate the detrimental effects of these incense materials on human reproductive system.
authors: Transmission Electron Microscope Unit, Research Centre, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia. mahmed1@ksu.edu.sa
authors: Mukhtar
authors: M
authors: Ahmed
authors: Nasser
authors: N
authors: Al-Daghri
authors: Majed S
authors: MS
authors: Alokail
authors: Tajamul
authors: T
authors: Hussain
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D029743:Boswellia; D008297:Male; D010476:Perfume / Q000633:toxicity*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012906:Smoke / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D010476:Perfume; D028321:Plant Preparations; D012906:Smoke