Evaluation of Sperm Parameters, Reproductive Hormones, Histological Criteria, and Testicular Spermatogenesis Using Turnip Leaf (Brassica Rapa L.) Hydroalcoholic Extract in Male Rats: An Experimental Study

Turnip leaves are rich in vitamins, contain large amounts of various substances with biological properties, and contain various flavonoids, some of which have phytoestrogens properties. The effect of hydroalcoholic extract of turnip leaf (TLE) on pituitary-gonad axis and testicular tissue changes in adult male rats was investigated. Forty Wistar rats were used in ۵ groups of ۸. The control group used water and standard laboratory feed and did not receive any TLE. The placebo group received orally a certain amount of distilled water as an extracting solvent. Experimental groups ۱, ۲, and ۳ used TLE included ۵۰۰, ۱۰۰۰, and ۲۰۰۰ mg/kg, respectively, for ۲۸ days. Finally, blood samples were collected from all examined groups to measure the serum concentrations of testosterone, LH, and FSH by the ELISA method. The testes were removed from the animals, and the diameter of the seminiferous tubules (STD) was measured by DinoCapture software. The results revealed that BW, left and right testes did not exhibit significant changes. The results of hormonal tests showed that the TLE in experimental groups increased the level of testosterone and had no significant effect on the levels of LH and FSH. Histological studies showed that the number of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, spermatozoa, Leydig cells, STD, and germinal epithelium diameter (GED) in experimental groups showed significance. The effects of TLE were not dose-dependent and the value of ۱۰۰۰ mg/kg is recommended for effectiveness and margin of assurance. This research article is taken from the master's thesis in the field of animal biology.

Keywords:

Plant extract , Phytoestrogens , spermatogenesis , testosterone , Histomorphometry