The effects of aflatoxin B1 on some testicular and kidney enzyme activity in rat

The effects of chronic intra-peritoneal administration of aflatoxin B1 on the activity of alkaline and acid phosphatases; glutamic oxaloacetate (GOT) and pyruvate transaminases (GPT); 5'-nucleotidase and lactic dehydrogenase enzymes were monitored in the testis and kidney of adult albino rats. Results showed that aflatoxin B1 depressed the activity of alkaline phosphatase in both tissues, but increased that of acid phosphatase in only the testis. While GOT and 5'-nucleotidase were inhibited, GPT and lactic dehydrogenase activity was enhanced by this carcinogen. These responses were similar for the testis and kidney. The above findings coupled with the microscopical observation of the testis tissue seem to indicate that the essential lesion of this toxin on the testis may be a modification of the enzymes of germinal cells resulting from a gradual depletion of the latter. Furthermore, the results appear to show that by and large, aflatoxin B1 exerts only slightly different effects on the testis and kidney at the enzyme level.