title: A potential mechanism associated with lead-induced testicular toxicity in rats.
abstract: This study was conducted to investigate the mechanism of lead (Pb)-induced testicular toxicity. We examined the impact of Pb toxicity on 17β-oestradiol (E2), oestrogen receptors (ERs) and aromatase P450 which are key factors in spermatogenesis. Treatment of rats with Pb acetate (PbAc, 50 mg/L in drinking water) significantly reduced sperm count, motility, viability and increased sperm abnormalities along with degenerative changes in seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells. Additionally, administration of PbAc resulted in a significant reduction in serum testosterone, serum and testicular E2 as well as increased level of testicular testosterone. Pb also induced testicular oxidative stress as evidenced by a significant decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase antioxidant enzymes, and increased malondialdehyde level in the testis. At the molecular level, Pb treatment downregulated the mRNA expression of P450 arom (Cyp19) and ERα. In conclusion, Pb induces testicular oxidative damage and disrupts spermatogenesis, at least in part, via downregulation of Cyp19 and ERα expression, which further decrease E2 level. These data, therefore, provide insight into the mechanism of lead-induced testicular toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Anatomy Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: El-Magd
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kahilo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt.
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Nasr
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kamal
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shukry
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Wealth Development, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Saleh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001141:Aromatase / Q000378:metabolism; D004958:Estradiol / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D007854:Lead / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D007854:Lead; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D001141:Aromatase
keywords: Cyp19; ERα; infertility; lead; oestradiol