The effect of lead exposure on the testis of growing rats

Daily intraperitoneal administration of lead (8 mg/kg) as lead acetate in male rats from 21 till 120 days of age triggered histopathological and biochemical alterations in the testis. Histopathological examination revealed disturbance in spermatogenesis besides Leydig cells degeneration. There was an increase in cholesterol, decrease in ascorbic acid contents and reduction in the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in the testis of lead-treated rats. These alterations suggest that the disturbed steroidogenesis during growing stage may be responsible for altering the germinal function of the testis at maturity.