Marking nut Semecarpus anacardium, so-called because it contains a pigment that has been used in the past to mark fabrics, is a known cause of contact hypersensitivity. It may be ingested as an ingredient of some traditional Hindi foods. We describe the first reported case of anaphylaxis to marking nut.
Anaphylaxis ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Hypersensitivity ; Nuts ; Semecarpus

AIMTo evaluate the effect of an ethanolic extract of Semecarpus anacardium fruits on spermatogenesis in albino rats.

METHODSMale albino rats were fed with a 50 % ethanolic extract of Semecarpus anacardium fruit at 100 mg.kg(-1).day(-1), 200 mg.kg(-1).day(-1) and 300 mg.kg(-1).day(-1) for 60 days. Fertility test was performed after 60 days of treatment. Sperm motility and density were observed in the cauda epididymis. Biochemical and histological analyses of the blood and reproductive organs were done. Recovery of fertility was followed to evaluate the reversibility of drug action.

RESULTSS. anacardium fruit extract administration resulted in spermatogenic arrest in albino rats. The sperm motility and density was reduced significantly. The RBC and WBC counts, haemoglobin, haematocrit, blood sugar and urea were found to be within the normal range in the whole blood. The protein, cholesterol and glycogen in the testes and the fructose in the seminal vesicle were significantly decreased after the treatment. The fruit extract feeding caused marked reduction in the number of primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes and spermatids. The number of mature Leydig cells was also decreased and degenerating cells increased proportionately.

CONCLUSIONS. anacardium fruit extract causes spermatogenic arrest in albino rats.

Animals ; Cell Count ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Leydig Cells ; cytology ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Semecarpus ; chemistry ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Testis ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism