title: Effect of sodium arsenite on plasma levels of gonadotrophins and ovarian steroidogenesis in mature albino rats: duration-dependent response.
abstract: Effect of arsenic on ovarian steroidogenesis at the dose available in drinking water at wide areas of West Bengal is reported here. Weights of ovary, uterus and vagina along with biochemical activities of ovarian delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (delta 5-3 beta-HSD) and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17 beta-HSD) and plasma levels of LH, FSH and estrogen were measured in mature rats of the Wistar strain at diestrous phase following subchronic treatment with sodium arsenite at a dose of 0.4 ppm/rat/day for 16 days (4 estrous cycles) and 28 days (7 estrous cycles). A significant reduction in plasma levels of LH, FSH and estrogen along with significant diminution in the activities of ovarian delta 5-3 beta-HSD and 17 beta-HSD were observed following sodium arsenite treatment for 28 days. This duration of treatment also resulted in a marked degree in diminution in the weights of ovary, uterus and vagina, but 16 days of treatment did not exhibit any significant effect on these above parameters. Arsenic-treated rats exhibited a prolonged diestrous phase in the estrous cycle in contrast to control rats having 4 days of a regular estrous cycle. Deposition of arsenic in ovary, uterus, vagina and plasma was also monitored in arsenic-treated rats. The results of our experiment suggest that duration of arsenic treatment is the critical factor for its adverse effect on ovarian activities at the dose within the range noted in drinking water at several areas of West Bengal in India.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Physiology with Community Health, Vidyasagar University, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chattopadhyay
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chaki
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Debnath
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ghosh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018053:Arsenites / Q000633:toxicity*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000097:blood; D004971:Estrus / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000097:blood*; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017670:Sodium Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D018053:Arsenites; D004967:Estrogens; D006062:Gonadotropins; D017670:Sodium Compounds; C017947:sodium arsenite; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases