title: Methylmercury induced biochemical and histochemical alterations in rat testis.
abstract: The methylmercurry chloride (MMC) administered at doses of 5 and 10 micrograms/kg over a period of 90 days to male rats caused enzymatic impairments in testicular tissue. The study at intervals of 15, 30, 60 and 90 days showed gradual diminution of testicular weight and gradual decrements in testicular protein and inhibition in testicular succinic dehydrogenase activity. Histochemical and biochemical studies revealed that testicular acid phosphatase activity was also inhibited at both the doses of MMC treatment. The inhibition of enzyme activity in testicular tissues after MMC treatment caused the impairment of both spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis in rats.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Chowdhury
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Makhija
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Vachhrajani
mesh_terms: D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D008297:Male; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D013385:Succinate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D011506:Proteins; D013385:Succinate Dehydrogenase; D000135:Acid Phosphatase