Wheat sprout effects on histological and histometrical structure and sperm parameters in testis of rat exposed to lead

Background: Wheat sprout contains a high amount of antioxidants, vitamins [especially vitamin E], minerals and phytoestrogen compounds. Use of medicinal herbs in reducing heavy metal toxicities has increased worldwide. In recent years, negative effects of lead on the male reproductive system and sperm fertility parameters have been shown broadly

Objectives: This study investigated the effects of wheat sprout extract [WSE] and vitamin E on sperm parameters and testicular oxidative stress in rats exposed to lead acetate

Methods: Thirty-five rats were divided randomly into seven groups: Gl [control group] received 1 ml/kg/day of normal saline, G2 received 20 mg/kg/day of lead acetate, G3 and G4 received 100 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day of WSE respectively, G5 and G6 received 100 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day of WSE respectively with 20 mg/kg/day of lead acetate, and G7 received 100 mg/kg/day of vitamin E with 20 mg/kg/day of lead acetate. After 35 days, rats were sacrificed and blood, sperm, liver and testicle tissue samples were collected for histomorphological and histochemical studies

Results: Results showed that count, motility and viability of sperms increased following the administration of 200 mg/kg/day of WSE [p<0.01]. Histomorphological studies showed a significant increase in tubular differentiation index [TDI], Repopulation index [RI], number of Sertoli cells, and epithelium of seminiferous tubules in groups receiving 200 mg/kg/day of WSE [p<0.00l]

Conclusions: Results of the current study show that dose dependent WSE significantly prevents testicular toxicity and oxidative stress effects of lead acetate

Seasonal changes of pronephros lymphoid tissue in grass carp [Ctenopharingodon idella]: a histometrical and histological study

The major lymphoid tissues in teleost fish are the kidneys, thymus, spleen and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue including the skin, gills and intestine. The head of kidney [pronephros] is an important haematopoietic organ and has morphological similarities with the bone marrow in higher vertebrates. In this study, during 12 months from August 2002 to July 2003, 120 grass carp [10 fish/month] were harvested from 3 fish culture ponds in Ahvaz. The water, weather temperatures and light duration of days [photoperiod] were recorded. After biometrical examination of age, weight and the length of the fishes, the whole kidneys were removed from abdominal cavity and samples were fixed in bouin's solution for light microscopy and in glutaraldehyde for electron microscopy. The results showed that the lymphoid tissue distribution has significant changes during different seasons so that, the mean ± SEM of lymphoid tissue distribution in hot seasons [33.53 +/- 0.59 mm[2]/cm[2] was more than cold seasons [19.20 +/- 0.65 mm/cm[2]. Also the statistical results showed that water temperature has more significant [P<0.05] effect on lymphoid tissue. Degenerated lymphoid cells with pale and vacuolated cytoplasm were observed. A reversed correlation was found between the number of normal and degenerated lymphocytes. Electron microscopy revealed that degenerated lymphocytes were devoid of membranous organelles, their cytoplasms were vacuolated and the nuclear envelope had some alterations