EJMS

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to reveal the anatomical and histological changes due to exposure to aluminum hydroxide on adult albino rat testes by light and electron microscopic examination, and explain its role in increased rate of male subfertility. Design: In the present study, LM and EM were used to study the histology of the testis in control group and aluminum treated groups. Material and Methods: Thirty adult male albino rats weighing about 100-150 gm were divided into three groups of 10 rats each. The first group was a normal control group which was injected with sterile physiological saline intraperitoneally. The second and third groups received a dose of 15 and 30 mg/kg body weight respectively of aluminum hydroxide diluted in saline by intraperitoneal injection. All injections were given every other day for five weeks. The animals were decapitated under ether anesthesia; the testes were excised carefully and prepared for examination by both light and electron microscopy. Statistical analysis was used to calculate the median and SD of testicular dimensions, body weights and sperm characteristics among control and aluminum treated groups. Results: In the present study, the anatomical study shows that in low treated group, there is no significant change in the testicular dimensions (testicular circumference& vertical diameter) as P value > 0.05 (NS). While there is marked decrease in testicular weight as P value < 0.001 (VHS). While in high treated group, there is significant change in the testicular dimensions (testicular circumference& vertical diameter) as P value < 0.01 (HS). While the testicular weight is markedly decreased as P value < 0.001 (VHS). Also the study stated that aluminum hydroxide markedly affects sperm characteristics (sperm count & motility and abnormal forms) among treated groups in comparison to control group. Also when the mean values of total body weight between control and experimental groups before and after the experiment were compared using Paired t- test, it was found a very significant decrease in body weight in aluminum hydroxide treated groups as P value <0.001 (VHS). The histological study of the treated groups showed focal necrosis and degeneration of the germinal epithelium within the seminiferous tubules, congestion of the blood vessels in the interstitial tissue and positive immune reaction for bcl-2 protein (anti- apoptotic factor). On the other hand, electron microscopy revealed changes in the testis seminiferous tubules such as thickening of the basement membrane, mitochondrial swelling, apoptotic cells in the interstitial tissue and increased lysosomal activity in sertoli cell cytoplasm. Conclusion: it can be concluded that aluminum affects the reproductive function of male albino rats through its toxic effects on testis.