title: Vitamin E modifies the ultrastructure of testis and epididymis in mice exposed to lead intoxication.
abstract: Lead (Pb) is known to cause abnormal function of several systems including the male reproductive system, where it has been shown to reduce sperm count. In order to examine the morphological basis of the reduction in sperm count and a possible effect of vitamin E, lead acetate (1 mg/kg body weight) was given to control and vitamin E-treated mice daily, intraperitoneally for 3 weeks. The testis and body of epididymis of the mice were subjected to electron microscopy study. Pb caused degenerative changes in spermatids inducing vacuolization and a reduction in the number of cytoplasmic organelles in Leydig cells. Pb also destroyed the stereocilia of epididymal epithelium. The addition of vitamin E ameliorated the severity of these morphological changes. In conclusion, Pb-induced reduction in sperm count may be due to changes in the ultrastructure of spermatids, epididymal epithelia and Leydig cells. These changes can be reduced by vitamin E.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, P. O. Box 17666, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Mohamed A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fahim
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tariq
authors.forename: Ernest
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Adeghate
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D014810:Vitamin E