Effect of Chronic Stress on The Testis of The Adult Male Albino Rat and The Role of Ginger

Abstract

Background: Infertility and its problems are one of the most vital problems that ranges from 10% to 15% among couples. Chronic variable stress (CVS) disrupts normal homeostasis of a variety of body systems and is a major cause of male infertility. Ginger is known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties via its free radical scavenging activity so it can be used in various experimental models as a protective agent against various toxicants. Objectives: The current work aimed to study the effect of chronic variable stress on the testis and the possible protective and therapeutic roles of the ginger on this effect. Materials and Methods: thirty-five adult male albino rats were divided into five groups. Group I; control, group II received ginger only, group III subjected to CVS, group IV CVS + pretreated with ginger and group V CVS + post-treated with ginger. All rats were weighted, sacrificed, blood samples collected to asses testosterone hormone, the testis was weighted to calculate gonadosomatic index and processed for light microscopic study. Paraffin sections were stained by hematoxylin and eosin stain. Immunohistochemical staining for PCNA, caspase-3 and androgen receptor were also performed. Results: CVS induced decreased gonadosomatic index, testosterone hormone level, destructive effects on the testis as decreased spermatogenic cells and sperm count, detachment of the cells, vacuolations and apoptosis. Ginger produced great improvement of these effects which was pronounced in the protected group (IV) than the treated one (V). Conclusion: CVS caused apoptotic changes in testis and ginger had ameliorating effects on these changes.