Impact of Anthocyanin Fractionate of Maize Seed Extract on the Microanatomy of the Testes and Epididymis in Adult Male Wistar Rats Animal Models

This study evaluated the effects of anthocyanin fractionates from maize seed (Zea mays) extracts on the microanatomy of the testes and Epididymis of male Albino Wistar rats. Twenty-one (21) adult male Wistar rats were assigned to 3 groups randomly (n = 7). Group 1 (control) received water and food only, Group 2 received 200 mg/kg of the anthocyanin fraction of maize seed extract, and Group 3 received 400 mg/kg of anthocyanin. At the end of treatment, rats were euthanized and the testes and epididymis excised for histological analysis. Body weight results showed a significant increase in final mean body weight across all groups (P < 0.05). Testes of control rats displayed normal seminiferous tubules with intact germ cell layers and organized spermatogenesis. Low-dose anthocyanin induced mild germ cell regeneration, while the high dose caused mild to moderate germ cell degeneration. Periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) staining demonstrated intact basement membranes and glycogen-rich Sertoli cells in control tissues. In contrast, the high-dose group showed disrupted tubular integrity and reduced PAS-positive material, reflecting glycoprotein depletion. Epididymal sections in all groups revealed intact pseudostratified epithelium with normal stromal architecture, without inflammation or fibrosis. These findings suggest that maize-derived anthocyanin fractions exert dose-dependent effects on spermatogenesis, with minimal influence on epididymal maturation.

Key Words: anthocyanin, testes, epididymis, spermatogenesis