FUNCTIONAL CHANGES OF TESTES IN LEAD INTOXICATED RATS

Abstract

Lead acetate treatment intraperitoneally at the dosages of 1 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg and 6 mg/kg over a period of 30 days altered spermatogenesis in rats. Inhibition of Δ⁵-3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was parallel with the high concentration of testicular cholesterol and low concentration of ascorbic acid, alkaline phosphatase and protein in most of the treated groups. Gradual increase in blood and testis lead alongwith the proportional inhibition of δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase levels indicated the intensity of lead toxicity in rats. Data revealed that alteration of spermatogenesis in lead treated rats might be due to the inhibition of steroidogenesis.