Toxic Effect of Aflatoxin on Vas Deferens of Mice and Its Amelioration on Pretreatment with Vitamin E

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of aflatoxin on histopathological and biochemical changes in the vas deferens of mice and its possible amelioration on pretreatment with vitamin E. Adult male albino mice were orally administered with 25 and 50 μg of aflatoxin/animal/day for 45 days. Vas deferens was isolated and processed for histopathological and biochemical analysis. Results revealed dose-dependent, significant reductions, as compared with controls, in absolute and relative weights of vas deferens. Histopathological studies revealed pyknosis in the nuclei of the epithelium and an increase in the thickness of lamina propria in vas deferens of aflatoxin-treated mice. The stereocilia were clumped and the lumen did not contain the sperms. While glycogen and protein contents were significantly reduced, the phosphorylase activity was higher in aflatoxin-treated mice. Vitamin E (2 mg/animal/day) pretreatment significantly restored the aflatoxin-induced histopathological and biochemical changes. The recovery was more in low dose toxicated mice than that of high dose. The results showed that vitamin E pretreatment significantly ameliorates aflatoxin-induced changes in vas deferens of mice.