Effect of sodium arsenite on spermatogenesis, plasma gonadotrophins and testosterone in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of arsenic on spermatogenesis.


METHODS
Mature (4 months old) Wistar rats were intraperitoneally administered sodium arsenite at doses of 4, 5 or 6 mg.kg(-1).day(-1) for 26 days. Different varieties of germ cells at stage VII seminiferous epithelium cycle, namely, type A spermatogonia (ASg), preleptotene spermatocytes (pLSc), midpachytene spermatocytes (mPSc) and step 7 spermatids (7Sd) were quantitatively evaluated, along with radioimmunoassay of plasma follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone and assessment of the epididymal sperm count.


RESULTS
In the 5 and 6 mg/kg groups, there were significant dose-dependent decreases in the accessory sex organ weights, epididymal sperm count and plasma concentrations of LH, FSH and testosterone with massive degeneration of all the germ cells at stage VII. The changes were insignificant in the 4 mg/kg group.


CONCLUSIONS
Arsenite has a suppressive influence on spermatogenesis and gonadotrophin and testosterone release in rats.
Sarkar
Mahitosh
M
Reproductive Physiology Unit, Dept. of Physiology, University Colleges of Science and Technology, Calcutta University, 92 Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, Calcutta 700009, India. mohimono@yahoo.com.in
Chaudhuri
Gargi Ray
GR
Chattopadhyay
Aloke
A
Biswas
Narendra Mohan
NM
D000818:Animals; D018053:Arsenites / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001835:Body Weight; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017670:Sodium Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
D018053:Arsenites; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D017670:Sodium Compounds; D013739:Testosterone; C017947:sodium arsenite; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone