The protective effects of zinc in lead-induced testicular and epididymal toxicity in Wistar rats.
The aim of this study was to investigate the beneficial effects of zinc (Zn) in preventing lead (Pb)-induced reproductive toxicity in Wistar rats. The rats were divided into four groups, namely, control group, Pb group, Zn group, and Pb + Zn group. Animals were exposed to Pb (819 mg of Pb/L) or Zn (71 mg of Zn/L) or both through drinking water for 65 days. Rats exposed to Pb showed decreased weights of testes and accessory sex organs. Significant decrease in the testicular daily sperm production, epididymal sperm count, motility, viability, and number of hypoosmotic tail coiled sperm was observed in Pb-exposed rats. Testicular 3β- and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity levels and circulatory testosterone levels were also decreased significantly in Pb-exposed rats. A significant increase in the lipid peroxidation products with a significant decrease in the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase were observed in the testes and epididymis of Pb-exposed rats. Moreover, the testicular architecture showed lumens devoid of sperm in Pb-exposed rats. Supplementation of Zn mitigated Pb-induced oxidative stress and restored the spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis in Pb-exposed rats. In conclusion, cotreatment of Zn is effective for recovering suppressed spermatogenesis, steroidogenesis, elevated oxidative status, and histological damage in the testis of rats treated with Pb.
1 Department of Biotechnology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India.
M Reshma
MR
Anjum
1 Department of Biotechnology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India.|2 Department of Zoology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India.
P
P
Madhu
1 Department of Biotechnology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India.|2 Department of Zoology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India.
K Pratap
KP
Reddy
2 Department of Zoology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India.
P Sreenivasula
PS
Reddy
D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011897:Random Allocation; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D000069578:Waterborne Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015032:Zinc / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D015415:Biomarkers; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D020011:Protective Agents; D013739:Testosterone; D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D015032:Zinc; C008261:lead acetate
Lead acetate toxicity; Wistar rats; reproductive toxicity; risk assessment; zinc protection