title: Protection of adrenal and male gonadal functions by androgen in lead-treated rats.
abstract: The potential health hazard of the large amounts of Lead that occurs in canned baby food, domestic water from lead-lined tanks and, in printing and petroleum industries. Lead acetate administration at a does of 8 mg/kg body weight for 21 days resulted a significant increase in adrenal steroidogenic enzyme (Delta5-3beta- HSD) and serum levels of corticosterone, while serum levels of testosterone, FSH, LH and testicular spermatogenesis were decreased in albino rats. But lead-treated rats received exogenous testosterone for the last 14 days of lead treatment, showed prevention of adrenocortical hyperactivity by decreasing adrenal Delta5-3beta-HSD activity and serum level of corticosterone. Testosterone administration also increased serum level of testosterone, FSH and LH along with spermatogenesis. The results suggest that testosterone supplementation in lead-treated rats protects adrenocortical activity and testicular spermatogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Kathmandu Medical college, Duwakot, Nepal. drnmbiswas@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Biswas
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Ghosh
mesh_terms: D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D013739:Testosterone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D003345:Corticosterone