Comparison of the Histomorphology of Testes in Albino Wistar Rats Following Separate and Co-Administration of Citrus aurantifolia and Caffeine

This study was an attempt to evaluate the effects of Citrus aurantifolia (CA) and caffeine on the testes of adult male albino Wistar rats. No doubt, CA and caffeine have health benefits; however, there is a scarcity of data about their effects on the testes. Thirty-five adult male albino Wistar rats weighing between 200g and 230g were divided into seven equal groups. 1ml and 2mls of CA were given to groups B and C, respectively, using insulin syringe, via oral ingestion. A mixture of 0.5 ml of CA and 0.5 ml of 50% caffeine was given to group D, while a mixture of 1 ml of CA and 1 ml of 50% caffeine was given to group E. 1 ml of 5% caffeine solution and 2mls of 5% caffeine solution were given to groups F and G, respectively. None was given to group A being the control. They were sacrificed after 21 days; the testes were harvested, weighed and subjected to routine laboratory method. Micro architecture of the testes was normal in the control group A. Testicular and intercellular constriction were observed in B, C, and D. These features were moderate in B compared to C and D. C, had in addition, vascular degeneration, germinal cellular hypertrophy and tubular atrophy; while D, had in addition, myoid and Ledyg cells degeneration. All the abnormality seen in B, C, and D, were present in E, F, and G. which had, in addition, tubular necrosis. These showed that consumption of a high dose of CA and caffeine, either separately or combined is harmful to the testes.