Abstract
Sesamin is a major lignan constituent of sesame seed and considered as a key factor in a number of beneficial effects on human health. The intake of sesame leaves has been shown to improve and increase epididymal spermatocytes reserve in adult male Sprague Dawley rats. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of a diet containing sesame seeds on epididymis histological structure of the adult wistar rat. Thirty adult male rats were divided into two groups consisting of 15 rats each. The regime group received a diet containing 30% sesame seeds, while the control group received a standard diet for 12 weeks. The right epididymis was removed and minced into several pieces in a specimen bottle containing normal saline for a few minutes to allow the sperm to swim out. Sperm parameters, sperm count and motility was determined. The left epididymis was divided into three sections and fixed into bouin's solution for histological evaluations. Serum Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations were estimated by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques while testosterone concentration was determined using a Chemo-luminence method. The body weight gain during the treatment period did not differ significantly between the two groups. The mean epididymal sperm motility and count of the experimental group was significantly higher (p < 0.05) when compared to the control group. LH levels were significantly increased in the experimental group compared to control group. No significant changes in FSH and testosterone levels were reported. The mean epididymal diameter of the tubular, lumen and epithelium in three parts were not significantly different (p > 0.05) when the regime group was compared to the control group. From our study, we can conclude that the consumption of sesame seeds improves sperm parameters (motility and count) and increases LH levels. Sesame seeds had no effect on epididymal tissue and body weight of the rats. Key words: Diet, epididymis, sesame seed, sperm, hormone.
Highlights
The function of the epididymis, including production of the epididymal specific micro-environment is necessary for the maturation, storage, and survival of spermatozoa which is regulated by hormones and testicular growth factors (Swider-Al-Amawi et al, 2010)
Shittu et al (2007) reported that sesame leaves intake improve and increase epididymal spermatocytes reserve in adult male Sprague Dawley rats Sesame lignan, such as: sesamin, sesamolin, sesaminol, sesamolinol, pinorsinol, sesamol and gammatocopherol are isolated from S. indicum and S. radiatum seeds and thave more anti-tumorigenic, estrogenic or anti-estrogenic and antioxidant features compared with other plant species (Jeng and Hou, 2005)
The data obtained in our study show that luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were significantly increased in the experimental group when compared to control but significant changes in Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone levels were not observed in both groups
Summary
The function of the epididymis, including production of the epididymal specific micro-environment is necessary for the maturation, storage, and survival of spermatozoa which is regulated by hormones and testicular growth factors (Swider-Al-Amawi et al, 2010). Sesamin is a major lignan constituent of sesame seeds and considered as a key factor in a number of beneficial effects on human health These benefits include anti-cancer properties (Yokota et al, 2007), antihypertensive properties (Miyawaki et al, 2009), antiinflammatory properties (Jeng et al, 2005), anti-oxidative properties (Nakano et al, 2003), cholesterol-lowering activity (Chen et al, 2005), enhancement of hepatic fatty acid oxidation and alcohol metabolism (Tsuruoka et al., 2005), neuroprotection (Khan et al, 2010) and promotion of angiogenesis (Chung et al, 2010). This plant source is increasingly being incorporated into the human diet worldwide because of their reported health benefits (Shittu et al, 2009). Shittu et al (2007) reported that sesame leaves intake improve and increase epididymal spermatocytes reserve in adult male Sprague Dawley rats Sesame lignan, such as: sesamin, sesamolin, sesaminol, sesamolinol, pinorsinol, sesamol and gammatocopherol are isolated from S. indicum and S. radiatum seeds and thave more anti-tumorigenic, estrogenic or anti-estrogenic and antioxidant features compared with other plant species (Jeng and Hou, 2005)
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