TITLE:
Impact of the aqueous extract of dandelion, probiotic and their synbiotic on male lamb’s testicular histopathology relative to semen characteristics
AUTHORS:
Moustafa Zeitoun, Mohamed Farahna, Khaled Al-Sobayil, Ahmed Abdel-Salam
KEYWORDS:
Dandelion; Histopathology; Probiotic; Ram; Semen; Testis
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Animal Sciences,
Vol.4 No.1,
January
17,
2014
ABSTRACT:
This study aimed at
investigating effects of dandelion/probiotic on the testis histology and semen
characteristics of male lambs. Twelve prepuberal Noemi male lambs (2 ± 0.4-month-old
and 20 ± 3.5 kg B.W) were randomly allocated into four groups. Animals in group
1 were controlled, orally given normal saline as the same schedule of treated
animals. In group 2 animals were given daily oral 50 ml of an aqueous extract
of dandelion leaves. In group 3 animals were given a daily 50 ml of cow’s milk
probiotics, and in group 4 animals were given 50 ml of a 1:1 mixture (dandelion
extract: probiotic). Animals were treated for 8 consecutive weeks. At puberty,
semen ejaculates were collected weekly for further 10 weeks. Thereafter,
animals were sacrificed and testicles were obtained, weighed and a
histopathological study was performed on the testis. Results revealed that oral
administration of the dandelion aqueous extract to prepuberal lambs exhibited
disturbances in the histological architecture of the testicular semeniferous tubules.
Additionally, dandelion resulted in edematic interstitial tissues with evident
vaculations. These deteriorations were reflected in less spermatogenesis (i.e. less sperm concentration and
ejaculate volume by 10% and 20%, respectively than controlled group). Also, the
percentage of sperm progressive motility was lower (P eminiferous
tubules architecture, however, very little vaculation with rare edema
was observed. Administration of the synbiotic mixture revealed intermediate histopathological appearances. The
highest sperm concentration, testosterone concentration and advanced motility
were obtained when probiotic was administered. In conclusion, although
dandelion cures some hepatic malfunctions in human, caution must be taken into
consideration of the frequent ingestion of dandelion for its harmful effect on
male fertility.