Assessment of DNA
Assessment of DNA
Damage in Testes from Young Wistar Male Rat Treated with Monosodium Glutamate
Ismail, N. H.
Zoology Dept., Faculty of
Girls for Art Sciences and Education, Ain Shams University
Abstract: Monosodium
glutamate (MSG), the sodium salt of glutamate, is a flavor enhancing food
additive that may be present in packaged food without appearing on the label.
This could lead to inadvertent consumption of monosodium glutamate in high
concentrations. The study investigated the effects of MSG on testes of young
male Wistar rats, by daily oral exposure to 8g /kg b.wt. of monosodium
glutamate for 90 days. Wistar rats (n=24) of average weight of 65- 80g were
randomly assigned into two groups A, and B in each group (n=12). The
control group (A) received distilled water. The treatment group ( B) were given
oral doses each was 8g/kg body weight of monosodium glutamate by gavage on
daily doses for 90 days. Rats were sacrificed on day 90 of the
experiment. The testes were carefully dissected out and quickly fixed in
Bouin`s for routine histological procedures. Results :The histological changes
in the testes of rats due to the administrated MSG were mainly alterations of
the seminiferous tubules which included atrophied malformed profiles
,appearance of hyaline material in the lumina of the seminiferous tubules and
interstitial connective tissues .In addition sloughing and exfloliation of
spermatocytes , spermatids, and immature germ cells appeared into the lumen of
the seminiferous tubules .Many cells of the different types of spermatogenesis
appeared with pyknotic nuclei and necrotic cells ,and dilated congested
inter tubular blood vessels. Vacuolations were also observed between the inner
cells of seminiferous tubules in the treated group. Increase in sperm shape
abnormality was recorded . Furthermore, the alkaline Comet Assay showed
significantly increased tail moment in testes cells of animals treated with MSG
compared to control group. Conclusion: MSG may have some deleterious effects on
the testes of Wister rats and by extension may contribute to the causes
of male infertility. Thus, it is important to reconsider the usage of MSG as a
flavor enhancer.
[Ismail, N. H. Assessment of DNA
Damage in Testes from Young Wistar Male Rat Treated with Monosoddium Glutamate
Using the Comet Assay. L Sci J 2012;9(1):930-939]. (ISSN:
1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 136
Key words: DNA Damage; Monosodium Glutamate; Male
Rat. Full Text 136
