Induction of Sperm-Head Abnormality in Swiss Albino Mice Mus musculus by Administration of Fresh and Processed Betel Nut Extracts

Chewing betel nuts is a worldwide masticatory habit. However, these nuts have many harmful effects on human body. Sperm-head abnormality test is an easy and rapid in vivo technique to determine the ability of an agent to introduce abnormal change in the process of spermatogenesis. In the present study this test has been adopted to compare the dose-dependent toxic potentialities of fresh betel nuts of Tripura and processed nuts (tambul) of Assam. Both are capable of inducing significant dose-dependent toxic changes as well. Aqua leaching of small pieces of fresh betel nuts or tambul for 24 h only, makes them much less harmful in terms of this potentiality.