Mohammad Jafar Golalipour - Department of Anatomy (Embryology and Histology), Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Babak Kabiri Balajadeh - Department of Anatomy (Embryology and Histology), Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Soraya Ghafari - Department of Anatomy (Embryology and Histology), Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Ramin Azarhosh - Department of Pathology, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Vahid Khori - Department of Pharmacology, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran

Objective(s) Urtica dioica L. has been known as a medicinal plant in the world. This study was conducted to determine the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Urtica dioica leaves on seminiferous tubules of diabetic rats. Materials and Methods Animals were allocated to control, diabetic and protective groups. Treated animals received extract of U. dioica (۱۰۰ mg/ kg/ day) IP for the first ۵ days and STZ injection on the ۶th day. After ۵ weeks, testes removed and stained with H&E technique. Results Tubular cell disintegration, sertoli and spermatogonia cell vacuolization, and decrease in sperm concentration observed in diabetic in comparison with control and protective groups. External seminiferous tubular diameter and seminiferous epithelial height significantly reduced (P< ۰.۰۵) in diabetic compared with controls, and these parameters increased (P< ۰.۰۵) in the treated compared with diabetics. Conclusion Hydroalcoholic extract of U. dioica, before induction of diabetes; has protective role on seminiferous tubules alterations.

Diabet mellitus, Morphometry, Rats, Seminiferous tubules, Testis, Urtica dioica