Effect of Resveratrol on the Histomorphology of Seminiferous Tubules and Spermatogenic Epithelium in Chronic Restraint Stress-induced Adult Wistar Albino Rats

Background: The restraint stress can cause reproductive dysfunction and infertility due to oxidative damage, because of the reactive oxygen species. Reproductive dysfunction is associated with the apoptosis of spermatozoa, interference in spermatogenesis, and sperm motility. Since resveratrol (RES) is a well-known natural polyphenol possessing a very high antioxidant potential, the objective of this research was to assess its anti-oxidative role against the restraint stress-induced histomorphological changes in the seminiferous tubules and spermatogenic epithelium. Methodology: Male Wistar albino rats of 12 weeks of age were considered. The restraint stress group was given stress for 6 h daily for 21 days. The treatment groups were administered with 10 and 20 mg/kg doses of RES orally were continued till the 28 th day by using an oropharyngeal tube. The control group received 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose only. Results: This study observed that the rats which underwent restraint stress have demonstrated decreased diameter of the seminiferous tubules and standard epithelial height ( P < 0.001). However, these dimensions were significantly improved ( P < 0.001) after the administration of both doses of RES. The thinned-out basement membrane was reversed along with the organization of germinal epithelium, and there was no cell clumping. The qualitative analysis also showed that RES decreased the coagulation of testicular tissue, when compared to rats which received restraint stress only. Conclusion: This study reports that the administration of RES reversed the distorted histomorphology of the seminiferous tubules and spermatogenic epithelium, which occurred due to the toxic effects of restraint stress.