Publication: Protection of adrenal and male gonadal functions by androgen in lead-treated rats
Date
2006
Authors
Article Type
Original Article
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
1812-2027
Volume Title
Pages
Pages: 218 - 221
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
The 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.