Potential Protective Effect of Pomegranate (Punica Granatum) Juice on Monosodium Glutamate Induced Seminiferous Tubules Changes in Adult Male Albino Rats: Histological Study

Abstract

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) has been recognized as flavor enhancer that adversely affects male reproductive systems. The present study was designed to investigate the potential protective effects of pomegranate juice on MSG induced histopathological changes in the seminiferous tubules of rats. Fifty adult male albino rats were divided into five groups of ten rats each; Group I (Control group), received daily standard diet only for one month. Group II (Pomegranate group), received daily pomegranate juice only for one month. Group III (MSG group), received daily a single dose of 60 mg/kg body weight of MSG for one month. Group IV (MSG and Pomegranate group), received daily a single dose of 60 mg/kg of MSG concomitant with pomegranate juice for one month. Group V (MSG withdrawal group), received daily a single dose of 60 mg/kg body weight of MSG for one month then leaved for another one month. The testis was subjected to histological study, using light and electron microscopes, and the cauda epididymis was used for caudal sperm count. Results: MSG induced toxicity in testicular tissues. Pomegranate juice resulted in improving the MSG induced changes, and it had the ability to increase sperms number and to reduce sperms abnormalities. Supplementation of pomegranate juice could ameliorate the MSG induced testicular toxicity. Thus, it could have a role in improving male fertility.