Apricot ameliorates alcohol induced testicular damage in rat model.

In this study, we intended to determine the possible preventive effects of dietary apricot on oxidative stress due to ethanol usage in rat testes. The animals were divided into six groups as follows: Group 1 was control. Group 2 received ethanol. Group 3 were fed with apricot diet for 3 months. Group 4 were fed with apricot diet for 6 months. Group 5 received ethanol and apricot diet for 3 months. Group 6 were fed apricot diet for 3 months, and then ethanol+apricot diet for 3 months. Following sacrification, the testes were treated for morphological (tubular and germ cell histology, Sertoli and Leydig cell counts) and biochemical (superoxide dismutase, glutathion peroxidase, catalase, malondialdehyde) analyses. In Group 2, severe histopathological changes in seminiferous tubules and germ cells were determined as well as tubular degeneration and atrophy. Sertoli and Leydig cell counts in the interstitial tissue were decreased. Biochemical parameters revealed tissue oxidative stress. Similar alterations existed in Group 5, although to a lesser extent. In Groups 1, 3 and 4, no histopathological alterations were noted. Results of Group 6 were similar to the controls. Apricot rich diet may have a preventive role on histopathological changes caused by alcohol in rat testes.