Effect of lead on male gonadal activity in albino rats

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, Delta5-3beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (Delta5-3beta-HSD) and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17beta-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 Delta5-3beta-HSD and 17beta-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.