title: The sensitivity of male rat reproductive organs to monosodium glutamate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to investigate the sensitivity of the testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle, and sperm acrosome reaction (AR) to monosodium L- glutamate (MSG) in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rats were divided into four groups and fed with non-acidic MSG at 0.25, 3 or 6 g/kg body weight for 30 days or without MSG. The morphological changes in the reproductive organs were studied. The plasma testosterone level, epididymal sperm concentration, and sperm AR status were assayed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to the control, no significant changes were discerned in the morphology and weight of the testes, or the histological structures of epididymis, vas deferens and seminal vesicle. In contrast, significant decreases were detected in the weight of the epididymis, testosterone levels, and sperm concentration of rats treated with 6 g/kg body weight of MSG. The weight loss was evident in the seminal vesicle in MSG-administered rats. Moreover, rats treated with MSG 3 and 6 g/kg exhibited partial testicular damage, characterized by sloughing of spermatogenic cells into the seminiferous tubular lumen, and their plasma testosterone levels were significantly decreased. In the 6 g/kg MSG group, the sperm concentration was significantly decreased compared with the control or two lower dose MSG groups. In AR assays, there was no statistically significant difference between MSG-rats and normal rats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Testicular morphological changes, testosterone level, and sperm concentration were sensitive to high doses of MSG while the rate of AR was not affected. Therefore, the consumption of high dose MSG must be avoided because it may cause partial infertility in male.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, 123 Mitraparp Road, Amphoe Muang, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand. Iamsaard_sitt@yahoo.com, sittia@kku.ac.th.
authors.forename: Sitthichai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iamsaard
authors.forename: Wannisa
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sukhorum
authors.forename: Rarinthorn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Samrid
authors.forename: Jindaporn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yimdee
authors.forename: Pipatphong
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kanla
authors.forename: Kowit
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chaisiwamongkol
authors.forename: Wiphawi
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hipkaeo
authors.affiliation: Lampang Cancer Center, Division of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, Lampang, Thailand.
authors.forename: Duriya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fongmoon
authors.forename: Hisatake
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kondo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D005421:Flavoring Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D012970:Sodium Glutamate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013076:Sperm Count / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D005421:Flavoring Agents; D013739:Testosterone; D012970:Sodium Glutamate