KUMJ | VOL. 2 | NO. 1 | ISSUE 5 | JAN-MAR, 2004
Effect of lead on male gonadal activity in Albino Rats
Biswas NM, Ghosh P
Abstract: Lead poisoning often prevails in children and industrial workers. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the
effects of lead acetate on steroidogenic functions of testis, serum levels of gonadotrophins and testosterone in albino
rats. Testicular steroidogenic activity was evaluated by measuring the activities of two steroidogenic key enzymes,
Δ5–3β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (Δ5–3β–HSD) and 17β–hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β–HSD).
Administration of lead acetate at a dose of 8mg/kg body weight for 14 days lowered the weights of testes and
accessory sex organs, and decreased testicular Δ5–3β – HSD and 17β– HSD activities and serum levels of FSH, LH
and testosterone but 7 days of lead acetate administration showed no effect on the above parameters. This report is
perhaps the first evidence to show that lead exerts some deleterious effects on testicular steroidogenesis indirectly by
decreasing serum levels of gonadotropins.
Keyword : Lead, male gouad, gonadotropins, Albino Rat
