Structural changes in reproductive organs of male rats after estradiol benzoate treatment

The effects of estradiol benzoate (E2B) at a dose of 50 micrograms/rat/day for 7, 15 and 24 days on histoarchitecture, histocytometry and relative weights of reproductive organs in mature albino rats were investigated. The results revealed that the organ weights, histology of the testis, epididymis, vas deferens and seminal vesicle of treated rats were considerably affected as a consequence of the treatment. The height of germinal/secretory epithelium and tubular diameter of these organs also declined, whereas the peritubular muscle layer thickness of epididymis and accessory gland was increased. In vas deferens, in contrast, the muscle layer was reduced. The induced effects of estrogen were related to the duration of the treatment and support our earlier data that estrogens have a direct effect on the testis.