Abstract

MODULATORY INFLUENCE OF ALOE VERA AGAINST RADIATION AND CADMIUM INDUCED QUANTITATIVE CHANGES IN THE TESTICULAR CELLS OF MICE

Purkharam, Aruna Chakrawarti, Manisha Agarwal and R. K. Purohit*

ABSTRACT

The threat of accidental or hostile exposure to radiation and heavy metal is of great concern. Ionizing radiation inflicts its adverse effect through the generation of oxidative stress that unleash large scale destruction or damage of various biomolecules. Disorders of reproduction and hazards to reproductive health have become prominent issues in recent past after several reports of adverse effects of ionizing radiation on reproductive function. In view of the fact, the present study was planned to evaluate the protective efficacy of Aloe vera against radiation and cadmium induced quantitative changes in the testicular cells of mice. For the study, the Swiss albino mice were exposed to 3.5 or 7.0 Gy of gamma radiation with or without cadmium chloride treatment. The Aloe vera was administered seven days prior to radiation or cadmium chloride treatment in the experimental animals. Alterations in the population dynamics of germinal epithelium were studied quantitatively. Spermatogonia A, I and B, primary spermatocytes at various stages of their meiotic prophase and spermatids were counted from the transverse sections of the testis from each set of experiments. The cells were counted in the form of increase or decrease. The changes were more found more severe after combined treatment of radiation and cadmium chloride as compared to their individual treatment. An early and fast recovery in the Aloe vera pre treated groups showing the protective potential of Aloe vera.

Keywords: Gamma Radiation, Cadmium Chloride, Swiss Albino Mice, Aloe Vera, Testes.