Effect of bhang on testicular tissue and serum testosterone level of young and adult albino rats through chronic close exposure to bhang

ABSTRACT

Bhang is the raw dried leaves of the plant cannabis sativa, it is the mostly abused illegal substance in Egypt, especially among youth and young subjects. In order to discover the occult dangerous effects on both cellular morphology and function of the testicular tissue, this study was carried on. Three groups [a control, b experimental, and c recovery] of rats in every age group; Group I [young subjects] and Group II [Adult subjects], every group included 20 rats, were included in the study, namely control, experimental, and recovery groups. Members of the groups Ib, Ic, IIb, and IIb, were exposed to bhang smoke daily [15 minutes/day x 90 days], after which period the members of the groups Ib and lIb were sacrified, whereas members of the groups Ic and IIc were subjected to 60-day-period of recovery [non-exposure], after which period they were also sacrified. Prior to sacrifaction, a blood sample was withdrawn from each animal to measure its serum testosterone level. After sacrifaction, testicular specimens were taken, fixed, and examined by light and electron microscopy. Results revealed that the percentage of the average numbers of testicular spermatogonia in group Ib/Ia was 51.6%, that of sepermatocytes 70%, whereas spermatogonia in group Ilb/lla was 22.4%, and that of sepermatocytes in group Ilb/lla 55.5%. On the other hand, the percentage of the average numbers of spermatogonia in group Ilc/Ila was 19.2%, primary sperrnatocytes 64.9%. Concerning percentage of average of the number of spermatogonia in groups Ic/Ia was 13.8%. Serum testosterone levels were significantly decreased especially in the groups Ib and Ic. Thus, it is to conclude from this study that young subjects taking bhang could be exposed to the risk of infertility and/or erectile dysfunction, with a specifically magnified danger of those starting before puberty