Effects of Citrus aurantium Fruit Extract on Spermatogenesis in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

ABSTRACT           Background and Objectives: Diabetes is one of the most common endocrine disorders, which is associated with changes in testicular tissue. The present study investigated therapeutic and prophylactic properties of bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) juice on testicular tissue and spermatogenesis process.           Methods: Forty streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats aged three months with mean weight of 170-200 g were divided into 4 groups including 1) control group, 2) diabetic control group, 3) diabetic group receiving 100mg/kg C. aurantium extract and 4) diabetic group receiving 200 mg/kg C. aurantium extract. The extract was administered to the rats for 56 days by gavage. After this period, the rats were anesthetized with ether and then their testes were fixed in 10% formalin for sample preparation. The testicular tissue was examined by haematoxylin and eosin staining under a light microscope with 10 and 40 magnifications. The mean number of Leydig and Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids were calculated.            Results: A significant decrease was observed in mean weight of left testis in diabetic rats compared to that of controls (P≤0.05). The mean weight of testes showed no significant difference in diabetic rats treated with 200 mg/kg of extract compared with the control group. Diabetes reduced the number of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and Sertoli cells. The number of cells increased significantly in the diabetic group receiving 200 mg/kg of extract. The spermatocytes and spermatids in both groups treated with the extract increased significantly.           Conclusion: This study shows the positive effect of bitter orange extract on complications of diabetes in testicular tissue. Therefore, this extract could be used for therapeutic purposes.            Keywords: diabetes, bitter orange juice, spermatogenesis, testis, rat