title: Potential ultrastructural changes in rat epididymal cell types induced by Boswellia papyrifera and Boswellia carterii incense.
abstract: Boswellia papyrifera and Boswellia carterii, known as Arabian incense, diffuses smoke, contaminating the air, which adversely affects human health. Therefore, this study was designed to ascertain the effect of these plants on histopathological and ultrastructure changes in cauda epididymis of Albino rats. Animals were exposed to 4 g/kg body weight of B. papyrifera and B. carterii daily for 120 days along with suitable controls. Our study indicates a significant reduction in epithelial heights. Cells showed signs of degeneration. The ultrastructural study revealed that the cauda epididymis was affected, including its cell types. Furthermore, a decrease in the size of mitochondria, Golgi complex, and both ERs was observed. In all treated groups, plasma fructose decreased considerably, indicating the sign of reduced energy, vital for motility and other sperm functions. The results of this study suggest that these plants systematically affect cauda epididymal cell types and its lumen through its potential toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Transmission Electron Microscope Unit, Research Centre, College of Science, King Saud University, PO Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: mahmed1@ksu.edu.sa.
authors.forename: Mukhtar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Nasser
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Al-Daghri
authors.forename: Abdul Halim
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Harrath
authors.forename: Majed S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Alokail
authors.forename: Ravindranath H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Aladakatti
authors.forename: Mukhtar Ahmed G
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ghodesawar
authors.forename: Saleh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alwasel
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D029743:Boswellia / Q000633:toxicity*; D004224:Diterpenes / Q000633:toxicity; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005632:Fructose / Q000032:analysis; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010873:Pinocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D024301:Plant Bark; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry; D012906:Smoke / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D004224:Diterpenes; D012906:Smoke; C530368:incensole acetate; D005632:Fructose
keywords: Albino rats; B. carterii; B. papyrifera; Cauda epididymis; Dosage du fructose; Fructose assay; Morphometry; Morphométrie; Queue de l’épididyme; Rats albinos; Ultrastructural; Ultrastructure