Age and Dose-Specific Testicular Histomorphometry and Hormonal Profile in Lead-Intoxicated Rats

In the present study, we report the relationship between doses of oral lead exposure, duration of exposure, and the hormonal and testicular histomorphometric changes in male Wistar rats at specific stages of postnatal development. Male juvenile Wistar rats (average weight of 34 g) were administered lead acetate at concentrations of 0.5% (5000 ppm), 1.0% (10,000), and 1.5% (15,000 ppm) via drinking water. Rats were killed at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks, and 12 weeks of postnatal development, representing the early juvenile, late juvenile, peripubescent and early postpubescent stages of life. Sera were analyzed for gonadotropins (Gn) and testosterone (T). Testicular histomorphometry was studied by the H&E and toluidine blue techniques; while caudal epididymal sperm cells were analyzed for density and motility. Serum T and Gn levels were significantly reduced (P

Key Words: Lead, testicular, histomorphometry, sex hormones, Age