This study attempted to examine the acute effect of purified minosine extracted from Leucaena leucocephala on male reproductive system. Adults male mice were divided into 4 groups (n =8); control and 3 experimental groups treated with purified mimosine at different doses of 15, 30, and 60 mg/KgBW, respectively for 7 consecutive days. The morphological features and weights of body and reproductive organs including testis, epididymis plus vas deferens, and seminal vesicle were compared among groups. In addition, epididymal sperm concentration and the changes of histopathology of testicular tissues in all groups were observed. The results showed that mimosine in all doses did not affect mice body weights. However, all doses of mimosine could significantly reduce the absolute and relative weights of testis and seminal vesicle but not of epididymis plus vas deferens. Significantly, mimosine at doses of 30, and 60 mg/KgBW could decrease sperm concentration. Moreover, the seminiferous atrophy and degeneration were obviously found in mimosine treated mice as compared to the control. In conclusion, consumption of Leucaena leucocephala edible parts containing mimosine could damage male reproductive organs which may cause acute male subfertility or infertility.
KEY WORDS: Mimosine; Leucaena leucocephala; Testis; Seminal vesicle; Mice.
