Evaluation of histomorphometric changes of the seminal vesicles of young and old adult rats after receiving sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum L.)

Introduction: Sesame seeds contain phytoestrogens and antioxidants that can affect the reproductive system. As the seminal vesicle is important in male reproductive activity, in the present study, effects of Sesame seeds consumption on histomorphometric structure of seminal vesicle in young adult rats were evaluated.  Methods: In this study, 40 adult and young rats were divided into 4 groups. Each young and old control group, were divided into 2 groups (30 days and 60 days) and fed with pellet (28 grams) daily. The treatment group was divided into two groups (30 and 60 days old) and fed with 8.5 grams of Sesame seeds and 19.5 grams of pellet (30% and 70% of the diet) daily. At the end of study, rats were euthanased and seminal vesicle were collected. The tissue sections of samples were prepared using standard tissue sectioning (thickness of 5-6 μm) and stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin. Blood testosterone levels were measured too.  Results: Histomorphometric evaluation of seminal vesicle in young rats fed with sesame for 30 and 60 days showed that the thicknesses of the epithelial tissue, muscular and whole wall layer were significantly increased. In old rats fed for 30 and 60 days, the thickness of muscular layer and whole wall were significantly increased. Testosterone level was increased in young rats fed with Sesame. There were no significant effects in the structure of the seminal vesicle in older rats compared with young rats following sesame consumption. Conclusion: Following age, a little tissue changes were seen in the seminal vesicle structure and it seems that Sesame can increasing the thickness of seminal epithelial tissue.