Protective effect of pumpkin powder (Cucurbita pepo L.) on fetal testicular tissue damage in alloxan- induced diabetic rats

Subject Areas : Veterinary Clinical Pathology

Received: 2014-08-18 Accepted : 2014-10-20 Published : 2014-08-23

Keywords: Testis, Rat, Diabetes, Alloxan, Cucurbita pepo L,

Abstract :

The occurrence of abnormalities in different organs of the fetus and newborn of diabetic mothers has been proven today. Considering the irreversible damages of the disease in newborns’ reproductive system any action to reduce the abnormalities has an especial importance and necessity. In this experimental study, the protective effects of pumpkin powder on reducing testicular tissue damages of rats born from diabetic mothers has been studied. The pregnant rats were divided into 4 groups of 10 rats, as follows: 1) treatment group with pumpkin powder, 2) diabetic control group, 3) treatment group (diabetic animals treated with pumpkin powder) and 4) healthy control group. Experimental diabetes was induced in pregnant rats by intraperitoneal injection of 120 mg/kg b.w. alloxan monohydrate. The first and third groups received 2 g/kg b.w. pumpkin powder for 4 weeks via gavage. The histological and morphometric changes such as weight, seminiferous tubules diameter, spermatogonia, leydig and sertoli cell numbers were compared. Data was analyzed using the ANOVA and Tukey multiple comparisons test and p<0.05 was considered significant. Testicular. Testicular tissue histology of diabetic control group showed a marked decline in the numbers of seminiferous tubules compared with the healthy control and diabetic treatment group. In diabetic control group, scattered germ cells or spermatogonia was observed with a vacuolated cytoplasm suggesting cell degeneration, while in diabetic treatment group more germ cells without vacuolated cytoplasm were observed. There was a significant reduction of testicular weight in the diabetic control group compared with the diabetic treatment group. In diabetic control group, the diameter of germ cells, leydig and sertoli cells as well as the seminiferous tubules diameter had a significant reduction compared with the control group. In diabetic control group, pumpkin powder administration had increased the diameter of germ cells, leydig and sertoli cells as well as the seminiferous tubules compared with the diabetic treatment group. The results demonstrated that pumpkin powder had a protective effect against testicular tissue damage in fetuses born from alloxan induced diabetic mothers. 

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