Volume 91, Issue 3, March (2004), pp. 387-391 © The Author 2004
doi:10.1079/BJN20031066

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Reproductive potential of male Portan rats exposed to various levels of lead with regard to zinc status

N. Batra¹, B. Nehru¹, M. P. Bansal^1
1Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, -160014, India

 (Received 22 January 2003–Revised 24 September 2003–Accepted 7 November 2003)

The present study was designed to elucidate the mechanisms accounting for disruption of the normal function of the testis exposed to various levels of Pb. Three different doses of Pb (10, 50, 200 mg Pb/kg body weight per d) were given orally to male Portan rats (groups 2, 3, 4). Zn (1 mg Zn/kg body weight per d) was also given with Pb (50 mg Pb/kg body weight per d) in group 5. Treatments continued for 3 months. Plasma luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations were found to be decreased in Pb-exposed rats. This was in turn reflected in the appreciable decline in fertility status. In cell kinetic studies, significant declines in various cell populations (preleptotene, pachytene, young (step 7) spermatids and mature (step 19) spermatids) were seen. However, in group 5 after Zn supplementation, hormone levels, cell numbers and fertility status were found to be close to normal. It is concluded that Pb might act at maturation level to cause conspicuous degenerative changes in the testis; Zn supplementation protected against these effects.

Keywords:
Lead Zinc Testis Luteinizing hormone Follicle-stimulating hormone Fertility

Abbreviations:
FSH, follicle-stimulating hormone, LH, luteinizing hormone