Effect of Almonds and cardioselective beta blocker on testicular weight in male Balb-C mice

Background: Prunus amygdalis (almond) is focus of attention these days because of many benefits. It also acts as hypocholesterolemic agent so decreases hypertension risk factors. Complications of hypertension are increasing constantly. Beta blockers are frequently used antihypertensive agents. Atenolol (a β-blocker) also shows some side effects, it decreases testicular weight and almonds increase it. Study was designed to observe the effects of Prunus amygdalis and Atenolol on testicular weight to reveal that Prunus amygdalis can revert Atenolol’s effect or not. Methods: One hundred and twenty mice fulfilling inclusion criteria were divided into 4 equal groups. Group A served as control, group B was given Atenolol, group C was given almonds and group D was given both Atenolol and almonds. After 3 months, testes were dissected and weighed. Data was analyzed on SPSS-17, Mean±SD was calculated. One-way ANOVA was applied and p≤0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean testicular weight in Group A was 0.127±0.01 gms, in Group B it was 0.113±0.01 gms, in Group C and Group D testicular weight was 0.136±0.01 gms and 0.120±0.01 gms respectively. When Group A was compared with Group B it was significantly reduced and no significant difference was found in Group C and Group D in comparison to Group A. Conclusion: Administration of Prunus amygdalis does not significantly affect testicular weight but Atenolol causes a significant decrease in it that can be reversed by Prunus amygdalis. Pak J Physiol 2019;15(4):20−3