Effect of black seed Nigella sativa (L.) seed extract on reproductive organs of male albino rats

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the probable effect of Nigella sativa L. seed extract (NSSE) on reproductive organs of male albino rats .The extract was administrated orally for 30 days at ( 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 ml/100 gm of body weight (b.wt.) .day 1) to adult male rats in addition to control group .Body and reproductive organs weight (testes, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate) for control and treated rats were measured. Histological study were performed in testes and epididymis to calculate the thickness of germinal layer, diameter of seminiferouse tubules and diameter of lumen of seminiferouse tubules in testes and thickness of epithelial layer, diameter of seminiferouse tubules and diameter of lumen of seminiferouse tubules in epididymis .Also the testes used to calculate the number of spermatogenic cell spermatogonia, primary and secondary spermatocyte ,spermatids , sperms and sterol cells after treatment. Results of experiment indicate that the extract decreased significantly (p>0.05 ) the body weight in all groups in contrast with control group ,while the weight of testes, seminal vesicle and prostate were not changed , the weight of epididymis increased significantly (p<0.05 ) in concentration of 0.4 ml /100 gm b.wt. .In testes, the diameter of seminiferous tubules and the diameter of its lumen showed no significant changes when compared with control group, while the thickness of germinal layer of seminiferous tubules increased significantly (p<0.05 ) in concentration of 0.4 ml /100 gm b.wt..In epididymis the diameter of seminiferouse tubules and the diameter of lumen of seminiferouse tubules not changed, but there was significant changes between other groups ,while the thickness of epithelial layer which lying the tubules decreased significantly (p>0.05).The volume density of spermatogonia in concentration of 0.4 ml /100 gm b.wt. and secondary spermatocyte in concentration of 0.1 ,0.3 ,0.4 ml / 100 gm b.wt.increased significantly (p<0.05 ).