Ultrastructural and hormonal changes in rat cauda epididymal spermatozoa induced by Boswellia papyrifera and Boswellia carterii.
Boswellia papyrifera and Boswellia carterii diffuses smoke polluting air that adversely affects indoor environment that certainly harm human health. Therefore, this study aims at ascertaining the effect of these plants on gonadal hormones and molecular changes in rat spermatozoa. The animals were exposed to 4 g/kg body weight of B. papyrifera and B. carterii daily for 120 days along with suitable controls. Significant decreases in FSH, LH and testosterone levels were evidenced, along with a reduction of protein, sialic acid, and carnitine levels. In sperm physiology, sperm count, motility, speed decrease, whereas sperm anomalies increase. TEM observation indicates morphological changes in plasma and acrosomal membranes, cytoplasmic droplet in the tail region, vacuolated, and disorganization of the mitochondrial sheath. These findings demonstrate that B. papyrifera and B. carterii smoke affects the process of sperm formation and maturation, which indicates the detrimental effects of these plants on the reproductive system.
Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Building No. 5, Post Box 2455, 11451 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: mahmed1@ksu.edu.sa.
Mukhtar
M
Ahmed
Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Building No. 5, Post Box 2455, 11451 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Daoud
D
Ali
Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Building No. 5, Post Box 2455, 11451 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Abdel Halim
AH
Harrath
Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Post Box 2455, 11451 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Tajamul
T
Hussain
Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Post Box 2455, 11451 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Nasser
N
Al-Daghri
Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Post Box 2455, 11451 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Majed S
MS
Alokail
Central Animal Facility, Indian Institute of Science, 560012 Bangalore, India.
Ravindranath H
RH
Aladakatti
Department of Zoology, Anjuman Arts, Sciences and Commerce College, 586101 Bijapur, India.
Mukhtar Ahmed G
MA
Ghodesawar
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D029743:Boswellia / Q000633:toxicity*; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012906:Smoke / Q000032:analysis; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012906:Smoke
B. carterii; B. papyrifera; Biochemical study; Hormonal assay; Sperm analysis; Spermatozoa; Ultrastructure