Research Journal of Medical Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6095ISSN: Print 1815-9346
Abstract
Lead is a major environmental metal and a known reproductive toxicant. It causes reproductive toxicity via suppression of spermatogenesis and androgenesis in males. This study investigated the effect of lead exposure and metals supplementation on male reproductive activities in male albino rat. Forty male rats were divided into four groups and treated orally for 30 days with lead, selenium and zinc. Group A which served as the control received distilled water, group B received 2.25 mg kg-1 body weight of lead acetate only C received 2 mg kg-1 body weight of sodium selenium and 500 mg kg-1 BW/day zinc carbonate only group D received 2.25 mg kg-1 body weight lead acetate with 2 mg kg-1 body weight of sodium selenium and 500 mg kg-1 BW/day zinc carbonate. Sperm count, motility, viability, volume and morphology were evaluated while serum Luteinizing (LH) and testosterone levels were assayed. Lead treatment decreased sperm functions: count, viability, volume, motility, normal morphology and serum LH and testosterone. Co-administration of selenium and zinc with lead was found to attenuate the decrease in sperm functions and enhance serum reproductive hormones level. Selenium and zinc treatment only increased sperm count, motility, viability, volume, morphology and hormonal level. This study showed that lead apart from being a hormonal disrupter adversely affect sperm cells which contributed to the reproductive damage in the male rats. The protective effects of selenium and zinc on reproductive toxicity as evidenced by the clear restoration of sperm functions and testicular steroidogenesis indices could be attributed to its antioxidants and androgenic properties.
How to cite this article:
B.A. Falana and I.P. Oyeyipo. Selenium and Zinc Attenuate Lead-Induced Reproductive Toxicity in Male Sprague-Dawley Rats.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/rjmsci.2012.66.70
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/rjmsci.2012.66.70