MICROSCOPIC STUDY OF TESTICULAR TISSUE STRUCTURE AND SPERMATOGENESIS FOLLOWING LONG TERM DOSE DEPENDENT ADMINISTRATION OF MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE IN ADULT DIABETIC RATS

Abstract

Background and aims: Diabetic hyperglycemia leads to structural and functional alterations in body organs including testis. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a food additive which has toxic effects on human and animal’s tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of MSG on diabetic complications of testicular tissue. Material and Methods: 48 adult rats were divided into six groups. Diabetes was induced by Streptozotocin (45 mg/kg i.p.). Monosodium glutamate was administrated in two doses (6 and 60 mg/kg) to control and diabetic groups. After eight weeks, the body weight was measured and blood samples were collected for analysis of the pituitary-testicular axis hormones. Formalin fixed tissue samples were prepared through routine histologic methods. Results: MSG led dose dependently to weight gain of control groups and prevented weight loss of diabetic rats. The blood levels of luteinizing hormone and testosterone were reduced in diabetic rats following administration of MSG. Reduction of cellular population of germinal epithelium, seminiferous tubules diameter decrement and decrease of indices of spermatogenesis were observed with more intensity in MSG treated diabetic rats. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the long term administration of MSG may induce in a dose dependent manner structural and functional alterations of testicular tissue in diabetic rats.