Abstract

Acrylamide (ACR) is an odorless, water soluble vinyl monomer which exhibits several toxicological properties that affects almost all the major organ systems of human body. Reproductive toxicity due to ACR seems to be more pronounced in males than females. To elucidate the effect of ACR on reproductive system in males we designed the current study investigating the histopathological changes in seminal vesicles of male Wister rats. We also explored the ameliorative potential of vitamin E on toxicity induced by ACR in seminal vesicles. The experimental rats were divided into four groups. Group I served as control, Group II were treated with ACR, Group III with ACR+ vitamin E and Group IV was treated with only vitamin E. Our results clearly depicted noticeable changes in the histology of seminal vesicle of rats i.e., disorganization of mucosal folds with desquamation, necrosis of covering epithelium, cracked luminal secretions, loss of compactness of muscle layer and atrophied muscles. These changes were constructively reversed in Group III which was supplemented with vitamin E while ACR was also present. Distinguishable changes were observed in this group as evident by preservation of mucosal fold architecture and columnar covering epithelium of seminal vesicle. The muscle layer showed potential improvement in some rats but did not completely return to its normal compact appearance in others. Thus, our study elucidated the deleterious effect of ACR on seminal vesicles for which vitamin E acted as an ameliorative agent.