Protective effect of zinc over lead toxicity on testes.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the effects of lead and zinc on testes.

STUDY DESIGN:

Randomized control trial.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY:

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

METHODOLOGY:

Sixty adult (90 days old) albino rats were obtained from animal house JPMC for the study and divided into 3 groups. Group A received injection normal saline 1 cc intraperitoneally daily for 8 weeks. Group B received lead chloride in a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally daily. Group C received zinc chloride in a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight before half an hour of injection of lead chloride in a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally daily so that to provide pre-treatment. On the day of completion of treatment the animals were sacrificed testes removed and fixed in Bouin's fluid. Testes were dehydrated in the ascending strength of alcohol, 5 mum thick sections were cut and stained with PAS Iron Hematoxylin. Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis with significance at p < 0.05.

RESULTS:

The mean diameter of seminiferous tubule was 291.91 + or - 1.18, 198.53 + or - 1.67 and 288.77 + or - 1.11 microm in groups A, B and C respectively. Diameter of seminiferous tubules decreased by 31.99% in group B (p < 0.001; CI 89.023 to 97.736) as compared group A and while group B comparing with group C, the diameter of seminiferous tubules was decreased by 31.25% (p-value = 0.076; CI -94.264 to -86.203). Mean thickness of germinal epithelium was 96.19 + or - 1.01, 50.69 + or - 1.20 and 94.94 + or - 0.54 microm in groups A, B and C respectively. Thickness of germinal epithelium decreased by 47.30 in group B (P < 0.001; CI 42.503 to 48.496) as compared to group A and while comparing group B with group C, the thickness of germinal epithelium was decreased by 46.61% (p=-44.25; CI -46.704 to -41.787).

CONCLUSION:

Zinc prevented toxic effects of lead on germinal epithelium in the albino rats.

• Authors: Muhammad Rafique, Shahid Pervez, Fazila Tahir
• Journal: Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP (J Coll Physicians Surg Pak) Vol. 20 Issue 6 Pg. 377-81 (Jun 2010) ISSN: 1022-386X [Print] Pakistan
• PMID: 20642966 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Trace Elements
• Lead
• Zinc

Topics

• Animals
• Lead (adverse effects)
• Male
• Necrosis
• Rats
• Rats, Inbred Strains
• Seminiferous Tubules (drug effects)
• Testis (drug effects, pathology)
• Trace Elements (pharmacology)
• Zinc (pharmacology, physiology)