Phytoestrogenic effect of the methanolic extract of Prosopis torquata on the reproductive system of Wistar male rats.

DÍAZ, YESICA; AGUILERA-MERLO, CLAUDIA; CARRASCO MIRTA; SALINAS ADRIANA; MANGIONE ANTONIO

SAN LUIS

Jornada; XXVII Jornadas de la Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo; 2009

Universidad Nacional de San Luis

Phytotestrogens are natural endocrine disruptors capable of altering the normal homeostasis of the endocrine system. The presence of phytoestrogens of the fruits of Prosopis torquata produces morphological changes in the reproductive organs of mammals. The present study shows the effects caused by the methanolic extract (ExM) of P. torquata on the morphology and physiology of testicles and epididimus of juvenile male Wistar rats. We measured quantity, motility and morphology of sperms in the epididymis . Pups at day 3 after birth, were distributed randomly among four groups (n=6). Three of them, fed with a phytoestrogen free diet, were injected with ExM, E (Estradiol) and vehicle (Clf) respectively and the other fed with a commercial diet (Cf) was injected with vehicle. All of them were sacrificed at day 55. The germinative epithelium of testicles in ExM in comparison with Clf, was organized with abundant round shaped espermatids, few elongated cells and hypertrophied Leydig cells. In Cf there were mainly elongated espermatids and in E there was atrophy. Epididymis in ExM showed a disorganized epithelium and the lumen was reduced with very few sperms. Cf presented an active epithelium with numerous Clear cells and abundant sperms in the lumen. In E, Halo cells, a reduced lumen and absence of sperms were observed. Clf, Cf and ExM showed few and slow sperms but with a normal morphology. No sperms were observed in E. These results demonstrated differences in maturation of sexual organs in juvenile male Wistar rats (Clf> Cf> ExM> E).