title: Development of spermatic granuloma in albino rats following administration of water extract of Heliotropium bacciferum Forssk.
abstract: A spermatic granuloma is a chronic inflammatory reaction produced in response to extravasated sperm within the intertubular connective tissue. The present study investigates the possible toxic effects of water extract of Heliotropium bacciferum on the reproductive system of male albino rats and the associated potential for the development of spermatic granulomas. H. bacciferum is a herbal plant used in traditional medicine and reported to have cytotoxic effects due to pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Histological examinations revealed no changes in the tissues of the testes, although, some changes were detected in the cauda epididymis, the most important of which was the development of small lesions of spermatic granulomas. Clear gaps were observed between the epithelial linings of the epididymal tubules.
authors: Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Khalid
authors: K
authors: Alanazi
authors: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Bassam A
authors: BA
authors: Alahmadi
authors: Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Ahmed
authors: A
authors: Alhimaidi
authors: Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Faisal M
authors: FM
authors: Abou-Tarboush
authors: Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Mohammad Abul
authors: MA
authors: Farah
authors: Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Ahmed
authors: A
authors: Mahmoud
authors: Department of Biology, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Mohamed
authors: M
authors: Alfaifi
keywords: Heliotropium bacciferum; Spermatic granuloma; Toxicity