Fig. 7 | Scientific Reports

Fig. 7

From: Experimental and molecular docking evidence for the protective role of Monascus purpureus red pigments against hydroxyapatite nanoparticle-induced testicular injury in male rats

Fig. 7

Representative photomicrographs of testicular tissue sections stained with H&E from the different experimental groups. The control and Monascus purpureus red pigment (RP; 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) groups show normal seminiferous tubules and intact interstitial tissue with well-organized testicular epithelium and complete spermatogenic stages. In contrast, the HANPs group exhibits marked degeneration (D) and vacuolation (V) of seminiferous tubules, atrophy of interstitial tissue (black arrow), irregular epithelial lining (*), and disrupted spermatogenic series (G). Co-supplementation of RP with HANPs demonstrates a dose-dependent protective effect: the 10 mg/kg dose shows mild improvement with reduced degeneration and interstitial atrophy, the 20 mg/kg dose reveals more regular seminiferous tubules and improved epithelial integrity, while the 40 mg/kg dose largely restores normal testicular architecture with intact epithelium, healthy interstitial tissue, and complete spermatogenesis. Scale bars represent 400 μm at 100× magnification and 100 μm at 400× magnification.

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