Histopathological Degeneration of Spermatogenesis and Histomorphometric Alterations of the Testicular Microanatomy of Male Wistar Rats after Oral Lead Intoxication

• Main Authors: Adebola O. Adetunji, Obasi Kosisochukwu K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences University 2019-04-01
• Series: Journal of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences University
• Subjects: Lead; Testies; Gonadotoxic; Histomorphometry; Spermatogenesis
• Online Access: https://www.jkimsu.com/jkimsu-vol8no2/JKIMSU,%20Vol.%208,%20No.%202,%20April-June%202019%20Page%2013-20.pdf
• ISSN: 2231-4261; 2231-4261

Background: Lead is a heavy metal known to exert pathological effects on the male reproductive organs. Aim and Objectives: To study the degeneration of spermatogenesis and histomorphometric alterations of the testicular microanatomy of male Wistar rats after oral lead intoxication. Material and Methods: Eighty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (1- 4) and further subdivided into 4 subgroups (A, B, C, and D) each containing five (n=5) rats depending on dosage and duration (3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks) of treatment. Group 1 received 1 ml of distilled water daily. Group 2 received 0.5% lead daily, Group 3 received 1.0% of lead daily and Group 4 received 1.5% of lead daily respectively. Testicular weights, histomorphometry and histological analysis using Toluidine Blue were observed. Results: It showed that significant reductions (P<0.05) in testicular weights in the treatment groups administered with lead for periods of 3-9 weeks as compared to the control while a significant increase (P<0.05) was observed in the group administered for 12 weeks. Histomorphometric analysis showed significant reductions (P<0.05) in Seminiferous tubule diameter, length of germinal epithelium and cross sectional in the treatment groups administered for periods of 3-12 weeks while significant increase (P<0.05) in lumen diameter was observed in the treatment groups compared to the control. Histopathological analysis revealed that Lead influenced the testicular cytoarchitecture by disrupting the processes of spermatogenesis in the treatment groups as compared to control. Conclusion: The study showed that different dosages of lead over a period of time had gonadotoxic effects and tendencies to alter testicular profiles by disrupting spermatogenesis.