Browsing by Author "Biswas, NM"
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Publication Dose-dependent effect of copper chloride on male reproductive function in immature rats(Kathmandu University, 2005) Chattopadhyay, A; Sarkar, M; Biswas, NMBackground: Copper is essential as a trace element for metabolic processes. Exposure to copper in industries develops toxicity among the workers. Previous findings on adverse effects of copper on male reproductive function in adult albino rats led to investigate the effects of this metal on reproductive function of maturing male rats in the present experiment. Methodology: To study these effects, immature (30 to 35 days old) Wistar strain albino rats weighing about 50-60 g were treated intraperitoneally with copper chloride at doses of 1000, 2000 and 3000 μg/kg body weight/day for 26 days. Result: Significant fall in accessory sex organ weight and inhibition of testicular 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity along with degeneration of testicular growing spermatogenic cells and reduction in serum testosterone, FSH and LH level were observed at the doses of 2000 and 3000μg/kg/day. On the other hand, at the dose of 1000 μg/kg/day significant increase in testicular steroidogenic enzyme activity and stimulation of testicular spermatogenesis along with rise in serum testosterone and LH level were observed, though no significant change was observed in serum FSH level. This suggests that copper has got a dose-dependent effect on testicular steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis and serum testosterone and LH level in maturing male rats. Keywords: Copper, male reproduction, gonadotropins, Immature ratsPublication Effect of lead on male gonadal activity in Albino Rats(Kathmandu University, 2004) Biswas, NM; Ghosh, PLead 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, ∆5–3β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (∆5–3β–HSD) and 17β–hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β–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 ∆5–3β – HSD and 17β– 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. Keywords: Lead, male gouad, gonadotropins, Albino RatPublication Protection of adrenal and male gonadal functions by androgen in lead-treated rats(Kathmandu University, 2006) Biswas, NM; Ghosh, PKThe potential health hazard of the large amounts of Lead that occurs in canned baby food, domestic water from lead- lined tanks and, in printing and petroleum industries. Lead acetate administration at a does of 8 mg/kg body weight for 21 days resulted a significant increase in adrenal steroidogenic enzyme (∆5 -3β– HSD) and serum levels of corticosterone, while serum levels of testosterone, FSH, LH and testicular spermatogenesis were decreased in albino rats. But lead-treated rats received exogenous testosterone for the last 14 days of lead treatment, showed prevention of adrenocortical hyperactivity by decreasing adrenal ∆5–3β–HSD activity and serum level of corticosterone. Testosterone administration also increased serum level of testosterone, FSH and LH along with spermatogenesis. The results suggest that testosterone supplementation in lead-treated rats protects adrenocortical activity and testicular spermatogenesis.