الفهرس 
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Abstract
The testes are paired organs in males lying in the scrotal sac, and function in the production of spermatozoa and secretion of male sex hormones, principally testosterone.
The thyroid hormone is considered as one of the important physiological regulators of tissue. The deficiency of this hormone in the body leads to a decrease in several cellular activities such as basal metabolic activity and respiration that are restored back to normal levels by supplementation of the hormone.
A dual regulatory role of thyroid hormone on Leydig cell functions was proposed by examining the effects of T3 on steroidogenesis and luteinizing hormone cell (LH) receptors in Leydig tumour cell lines.
However, information on its role in regulating the various physiological and biochemical functions of the adult testis in general and antioxidant defences in particular is inadequate.
Fluted pumpkin, known as Telferia occidentalis is a species of cucurbitaceae family in the tropics and largely consumed in Nigeria, Ghana and Sierra.
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of exogenously administered L-thyroxine on adult rat testis and to clarify the possible protective effect of pumpkin seed oil by biochemical, histopathological, immunohistochemical and morphometric studies.
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Materials and Methods:
42 adult male rats were used in this study. They were classified into four groups,
o group I (control group): 12 adult male rats that were subdivided into 2 subgroups (6 rats for each) as follows:
- Subgroup IA (negative control subgroup): was not injected by the drug or distilled water.
- Subgroup IB (positive control subgroup): was injected by intraperitoneal distilled water.
o group II (pumpkin seed oil treated): 10 adult male rats receiving daily dose of 3.6 mg/kg of pumpkin seed oil by oral gavages for 10 consecutive days.
o group III (L-thyroxine treated): 10 adult male rats receiving daily dose of 0.3 mg/kg of Eltroxin intraperitoneally for about 15 days.
o group IV (L-thyroxine & pumpkin seed oil treated): 10 adult male rats receiving daily dose of 3.6 mg/kg of pumpkin seed oil by oral gavages for 10 days in addition to 0.3 mg /kg of Eltroxin intraperitoneally for 15 days.
At the end of determined period of each group, animals were anaesthetized lightly by diethyl ether inhalation then sacrificed. Blood samples were collected for hormonal & enzymatic assay.
The testicles were surgically dissected for histological paraffin sections to undergo light microscopic study, histologically by hematoxylin and eosin, for routine study, PAS & Van Gieson stain for detection of collagen for fibrosis.
Moreover, immunohistochemical study was performed using caspase 3 to detect apoptosis.
The morphometric measurements were done by the image analyzer for calculation of number of caspase 3 positive cells, thickness of seminiferous epithelium, tubular diameter of seminiferous tubules and color intensity of fibrosis. Statistical analysis was done for all calculated parameters.
Results:
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Non-significant difference between group I and II in all examined parameters.
Biochemical results revealed that testosterone levels were significantly decreased in group III and their average lied in between normal and diseased group in group IV (pumpkin seed oil & eltroxin treated group).SOD level was markedly decreased in group III and the average SOD level of group IV was in between normal and diseased groups.
Histological study of testes sections of group III (eltroxin treated group) showed variable degrees of tubular affection in the form of distorted seminiferous tubules, cellular disorganization, germ cell sloughing and cytoplasmic vacuolations. The tubules were surrounded by thick irregular basal lamina. The lumen of tubules contained few spermatozoa. Some germ cells had deeply stained pyknotic nuclei.
Acidophilic hyaline streaks were extended between the degenerated spermatogenic cells. Appearance of multinucleated giant cells, widening of the interstitium with appearance of homogenous acidophilic exudate and congestion of blood vessels were also noticed.
Very strong PAS reaction in the basal lamina, intertubular space and around blood vessels was detected.
Van Gieson stained sections showed seminiferous tubule with intense fibrosis around the basal lamina and dilated congested blood vessels surrounded with dense fibrosis.
Immunohistochemical result showed intense positive cytoplasmic caspase 3 immunostaining.
Sections from group IV (pumpkin seed oil & eltroxin treated group) showed that most tubules were more or less similar to those of control and they were lined by normal arrangement of spermatogenic cells. But some cells had vacuolated cytoplasm. The inter-tubular space remained wide and contained acidophilic material.
Moderate collagen fibers deposition and moderate PAS reactions were detected.
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Moderate fibrosis around basal lamina of seminiferous tubules appeared in Van Gieson stained sections.
This group showed improved immunohistological results in caspase 3 stained sections.
Conclusion:
Exogenous administration of eltroxin caused significant testicular damage and germ cell apoptosis, which probably affected reproductive functions.
Pretreatment of eltroxin treated rats with pumpkin seed oil significantly protected testicular histology and function due to antioxidative properties.