Publication: Protection of adrenal and male gonadal functions by androgen in lead-treated rats
Date
2006
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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.