Histological and biochemical changes in testis of zinc deficient BALB/c strain of mice

Zinc, protein, cholesterol, phospholipids, alkaline phosphatase (AlPase), acid phosphatase (AcPase), adenosine-5-triphosphatase(ATPase) and histology were studied in testis of zinc-deficient mice. Zinc and protein decreased in the 3-week experiment whereas they increased in the 6-week experiment. Zinc is involved in several functions of the cell and is regulated by hormones. Inhibition of spermatogenesis indicates for decreased zinc levels in 3-week whereas the increase in 6-week experiment indicates for accumulation of zinc in oedomatous fluid and uncontrolled diffusion of zinc across the blood testis barrier. Glycogen decreased in the 3-week as well as 6-week experiments due to blockage of androgen and spermatogenesis. Cholesterol and phospholipids increased in the 3-week experiment and decreased in 6-week experiment as both the parameters are related to steroidogenesis. Zinc deficiency leads to aspermatogenic condition and comparatively less injury to non-germinal cells. This could have blocked the transport of material across the testis barrier and therefore might have increased AlPase levels. Increased AcPase, probably represents lysosomal enzymes, as the cell debris of disorganised epithelium are to be digested and removed. ATPase increased in 3-week experiment and can be correlated to increased demands of energy of testicular cells to overcome the insults of zinc deficiency whereas the decrease in 6-week experiment could be as a result of inhibition of spermatogenesis.