EFFECT OF CORNUS MAS L. (CORNELIAN CHERRY) ADMINISTRATION ON THE MICROSCOPIC STRUCTURE OF REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS IN DIABETIC FATTY RATS

Abstract

Obesity and diabetes mellitus are chronic metabolic disorders with widespread effects on physiological functions, including reproduction. This study aimed to investigate the influence of Cornus mas L. (Cornelian cherry) administration on the microscopic structure of testes and epididymides in obese rats. Fifty male Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats were used in a three-month experiment. Experimental groups received varying doses and forms of C. mas (pulp, stone, or both) administered orally via gastric probe. Morphometric and histological analyses were performed on testicular and epididymal tissues, followed by statistical evaluation of structural parameters. Significant changes (p < 0.05) were observed in seminiferous epithelial and interstitial area proportions, while spermatogenic cell counts showed higher mean values in group receiving a dose of 500 + 250 mg/kg of pulp and stone combination without statistically significant differences. The epididymal lumen width increased and epithelial height decreased, although these changes were not statistically significant. The results indicate that Cornus mas induces dose-dependent structural changes in testicular histoarchitecture in obese rats. These findings suggest a modulatory effect on reproductive tissue under metabolic stress conditions.