Ursolic acid generates symplasts in rat spermatogenic clones

Abstract

Treatment of ursolic acid to Wistar strain male albino rats resulted in severe disruption of spermatogenesis. The most diagnostic change in the seminiferous epithelium was the opening up of the intercellular bridges between the male germ cell clones, resulting in the formation of symplasts. In this property, ursolic acid is comparable to cytochalasin D. Symplasts are exfoliated from the Sertoli cell. The Leydig cells are hypertrophied. Cauda epididymidal sperm motility was impaired, and several sperm exhibited abnormalities. Among the epididymal epithelial cell types, the clear cells of the caput as well as the cauda appeared to be increased in abundance and were rounded-up. The results indicate that from the male reproductive toxicological point of view, caution is required in using ursolic acid as a curative/protective agent. However, the testicular and epididymal effects of ursolic acid may be applied in male antifertility/contraception. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.