The effects of lead and zinc on the quality of semen of albino rats.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the effects of lead and zinc administration on the quality of semen of albino rats.

STUDY DESIGN:

Experimental study.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY:

Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from August 2003 to December 2005.

METHODOLOGY:

Sixty adult albino rats selected for the study were divided into three groups, group A received injection normal saline 1 ml intraperitoneally daily for 8 weeks. Group B received lead chloride in a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally daily. Group C received lead chloride in a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight and zinc chloride in a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally daily. On the day of completion of treatment, the animals were sacrificed; epididymis was used for semen analysis. Student's t-test was used to determinate significance; the p-value < 0.05 was taken as significant.

RESULTS:

The number of sperms was 7.3, 1.7 and 6.6 million cells/ml in groups A, B and C respectively. Sperm's count decreased by 87% in group B (p < 0.001, CI 4117082.4 - 6965747.6) as compared to group A. Compared with group C, the sperm's count was decreased to 75% (p < 0.001, CI -5417413 to -4416987). The immotility of sperms was 27%, 57% and 26% in groups A, B and C respectively. There was 30% decreased motility of sperm in group B (p < 0.001, CI -30.19425 to -19.80575) as compared to group A. Compared with group C, the immotile sperm were increased to 31% (p < 0.001, CI 19.87494 - 30.92506).

CONCLUSION:

Lead produced toxic effects on germinal epithelium and altered the quality of semen which was improved by zinc.

• Authors: Muhammad Rafique, Naheed Khan, Khalida Perveen, Anjum Naqvi
• Journal: Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP (J Coll Physicians Surg Pak) Vol. 19 Issue 8 Pg. 510-3 (Aug 2009) ISSN: 1022-386X [Print] Pakistan
• PMID: 19651015 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Chlorides
• Sperm Immobilizing Agents
• Zinc Compounds
• Lead
• lead chloride
• zinc chloride

Topics

• Animals
• Chlorides (pharmacology)
• Epididymis (cytology, drug effects)
• Injections, Intraperitoneal
• Lead (toxicity)
• Male
• Rats
• Semen (cytology, drug effects)
• Sperm Count
• Sperm Immobilizing Agents (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Sperm Motility (drug effects)
• Zinc Compounds (pharmacology)