The effects of lead and zinc on the quality of semen of albino rats.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of lead and zinc administration on the quality of semen of albino rats.


METHODS
Experimental study.


METHODS
Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from August 2003 to December 2005.


METHODS
Sixty adult albino rats selected for the study were divided into three groups, group A received injection normal saline 1 ml intraperitoneally daily for 8 weeks. Group B received lead chloride in a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally daily. Group C received lead chloride in a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight and zinc chloride in a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally daily. On the day of completion of treatment, the animals were sacrificed; epididymis was used for semen analysis. Student's t-test was used to determinate significance; the p-value < 0.05 was taken as significant.


RESULTS
The number of sperms was 7.3, 1.7 and 6.6 million cells/ml in groups A, B and C respectively. Sperm's count decreased by 87% in group B (p < 0.001, CI 4117082.4 - 6965747.6) as compared to group A. Compared with group C, the sperm's count was decreased to 75% (p < 0.001, CI -5417413 to -4416987). The immotility of sperms was 27%, 57% and 26% in groups A, B and C respectively. There was 30% decreased motility of sperm in group B (p < 0.001, CI -30.19425 to -19.80575) as compared to group A. Compared with group C, the immotile sperm were increased to 31% (p < 0.001, CI 19.87494 - 30.92506).


CONCLUSIONS
Lead produced toxic effects on germinal epithelium and altered the quality of semen which was improved by zinc.
Rafique
Muhammad
M
Department of Anatomy, Dow International Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi. rgheewala1@hotmail.com
Khan
Naheed
N
Perveen
Khalida
K
Naqvi
Anjum
A
D000818:Animals; D002712:Chlorides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004822:Epididymis / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007854:Lead / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013078:Sperm Immobilizing Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*
D002712:Chlorides; D013078:Sperm Immobilizing Agents; D017967:Zinc Compounds; D007854:Lead; C029891:lead chloride; C016837:zinc chloride