Protective effects of Vitex doniana (Black plum) against ischemic testes torsion injury: Histological and morphometric features

Abstract

We evaluated the effects of Vitex doniana leaves on testes histology and morphometry in Wistar rats following testicular torsion. Thirty male Wistar rats (120–160g) were randomly assigned into six groups (n=5). Surgical procedures were performed under ketamine anaesthesia (5mg/kg i.m). Sham surgery was performed on group A rats and given distilled water for 7 days. Animals in other groups had their left testes twisted at 720° for one hour, sutured, and treated for 7 days. Group B rats were left untreated, groups C, D and E received 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg of extract respectively while group F received 100mg/kg of vitamin C. Animals were sacrificed using ketamine (100mg/kg), testes excised, fixed in Bouin's fluid and processed for histology and histomorphometry. Data were analyzed using One-way ANOVA and Student Newman- Keuls post- hoc test for multiple comparisons. Seminiferous tubule diameter reduced significantly in group B when compared with control group while the luminal size increased significantly in group B when compared with control group and the treated groups. Group B also showed significant reduction of germinal epithelium when compared with groups A, E and F. Histology and histochemical results revealed atrophic seminiferous tubules, widened interstitial spaces and accumulation of glycogen in the basement membrane in the testes of untreated rats. The study concluded that aqueous extract of Vitex doniana leaves had ameliorative effect on testicular morphology and histology in the torsioned rat model.