Action of Citrullus lanatus on the Cytoarchitecture of Testes in Wistar Rats Following Prolong Exposure to Methanolic Seeds Extract of Carica papaya

Aim: This study was carried out to examine the action of Citrullus lanatus on the cytoarchitecture and glycogen distribution in the testes of Wistar rats following prolong exposure to methanolic seeds extract of Carica papaya.

Study Design: Eighteen adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into three groups of six (n=6): A, B, and C. Group A served as the control group while the other groups served as the treated groups.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in the Animal Holdings of the Department of Anatomy, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria between July, 2014 and October, 2014.

Methodology: The Group A animals were given feed and water liberally throughout the study. Group B received 150 mgkg/bwt/d of Carica papaya methanolic seeds extract intraperitoneally for 8 weeks, Group C received 150 mgkg/bwt/d of Carica papaya methanolic seeds extract intraperitoneally plus Citrullus lanatus orally for 8 weeks. The rats were sacrificed at the end of administration, histological and histochemical techniques were applied. Tissues were viewed under a light microscope.

Results: Generally, the seminiferous tubules as well as interstitial spaces in Group A and C appeared normal but in Group B there was degeneration of interstitial spaces and congestion of seminiferous tubules. However, glycogen distribution was the same for all the groups.

Conclusion: Citrullus lanatus has ameliorative effects on cytoarchitecture of the testes in wistar rats following prolong exposure to methanolic seeds extract of Carica papaya. It was also revealed that methanolic seeds extract of Carica papaya does not affect the glycogen distribution in testes especially at the dose used in this study.