Effects of puncturevine (TT) on Leydig cells of prepubertal albino rats

Puncturevine (tribulus terrestris) is suggested to increase the concentration of testosterone and luteinizing hormone in rats. these hormones are crucial for the development of male germ cells and also for the growth of the somatic cell types required for normal testicular function; these cells include interstitial cells of leydig. we,therefore,planned this study to examine its effect on leydig cells using prepubertal rats as an experimental animal. 20 male rats of 14 days of age were divided randomly were into two groups of 10 pups each (a: control and b: experimental). experimental group received tribulus terrestris extract in a single oral dose of 70 mg/kg,daily for 20 days starting at 2 weeks of age,whereas,control group received equal amount of weight related distilled water for the same duration. each animal was sacrificed at the end of experimental period. testes were moved out of the body cavity,fixed in bouin's fixative,embedded in paraffin and 4ìm thick sections were obtained. the sections were stained with h & e and pas and examined with a light microscope at different magnifications. spherical and ovoid leydig cells per interstitial space of testis were counted. statistical analysis was done using independent-samples t test. rats receiving tribulus terrestris extract showed statistically significant increase in mean number of leydig cells per interstitial space of testes of animals in the experimental group than that in the control (p<0.014).