Effect of acrylamide on testis of albino rats. Ultrastructure and DNA cytometry study

OBJECTIVE: To explore the harmful effects of acrylamide on the structure of testis in albino rats, in an attempt to clarify its potential risks on human health.

METHODS: The present study was carried out in the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from December 2010 to December 2011. Forty-eight adult male albino rats (250-300 g) were divided randomly into 6 groups. Electron microscopy and histochemical techniques using Feulgen stain were used to conduct the morphological study. In addition, DNA cytometry method was used.

RESULTS: Rats treated with acrylamide 25 mg/kg body weight for 10 days showed mild affection, whether acrylamide was administered orally or intraperitoneally. On the other hand, the testis of the group treated with a dose of 50 mg/kg/10 days showed damage, especially with intraperitoneal administration in comparison to oral treatment. This was in the form of degeneration of germ cells, numerous multinucleated giant cells with sloughed seminiferous epithelium, and vacuolation in-between the germ cells.

CONCLUSION: Exposure to acrylamide produced degenerative changes in the testis, which were more prominent with a longer period of exposure. Recommendations are necessary to decrease acrylamide level in different foods, and ways to decrease acrylamide formation during preparation of different foods should be advertised.