Effects of bamboo buds: structural and functional changes in the epididymis of rats

An ethanolic extract of the tender shoots of Bambusa arundinaceae was administered at 300 mg/kg per rat per day for 7 days to adult male rats to assess epididymal structural and functional activity. Sperm motility decreased markedly in the cauda epididymal fluid and sperm count decreased significantly in both caput and caudal segments of the epididymis. Histologically, a reduction in epithelial and stereocilia height (in both segments) and lumen diameter (in cauda) was noted. An increase in intertubular stroma was also evident. Epididymal weights, activities of acid phosphatase and total LDH were reduced in both epididymal segments. Protein concentration was appreciably increased only in the caudal segment. Extract therapy impaired the structural and functional integrity of the epididymis.