Absence of zinc testicular deficiency in the sexual dysfunction of experimentally induced uremic rats

Two groups of adult male rats were used. One group was sham-operated, while the other group had about 70-80% of the left kidney tissue surgically excised and a total right nephrectomy performed 10 days later. Two 15-day mating periods were organized at the 10th and 18th week after surgery. Fertile and infertile rats of the uremic group showed low testosterone levels and increased zinc content of testes in comparison to sham-operated animals. These data contrast with previous reports that zinc deficiency may be a cause of low testosterone values and sexual dysfunction in uremic patients. It is concluded that zinc deficiency may not be involved in the pathogenesis of low testosterone levels and sexual dysfunction in uremic male rats.