Impairment of testicular endocrine function after lead intoxication in the adult rat.
To clarify the mechanism of the action of lead on male reproductive function, adult male rats were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with lead acetate (8 mg/kg/day of lead), 5 days a week for 35 days. Despite this high dose, germ cells and Sertoli cells did not appear to be major targets of lead. However, lead determination in the reproductive organs showed that the accessory sex glands are such a target. Epididymal function was unchanged. In lead-exposed rats, plasma and testicular testosterone dropped by about 80%, but plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) only dropped by 32%. After luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) stimulation of the pituitary, the plasma LH level reached the control one, but plasma testosterone remained significantly reduced by 37%. The sharp decrease in the testosterone:LH ratio in lead-exposed rats, combined with the significant reduction of intertubular tissue volume in the testes, indicate impaired Leydig cell function.
Thoreux-Manlay
A
A
Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique CEA, Département de Pathologie et Toxicologie Expérimentales, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
Vélez de la Calle
J F
JF
Olivier
M F
MF
Soufir
J C
JC
Masse
R
R
Pinon-Lataillade
G
G
D000727:Androgen-Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002331:Carnitine / Q000378:metabolism; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007294:Inositol / Q000378:metabolism; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism
D000727:Androgen-Binding Protein; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D007854:Lead; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013739:Testosterone; D007294:Inositol; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; C008261:lead acetate; D002331:Carnitine