RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the pathological changes in ovary or testis of the SD rats after n-hexane inhalation, and to investigate the effects of n-hexane to sexual glands.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-eight adult healthy rats were selected and randomizedly divided into four groups control group and three n-hexane groups (1, 3 and 7 d) six rats for each group. After inhalation, SD rats were killed and n-hexane concentration of blood from celiac artery were detected. Super-oxide dismutase (SOD) glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) malondialdehyde (MDA) glutathione (GSH) were measured by photometry, and organ coefficients were calculated. The ovary or testis were embedded with paraffin, sliced, stained by HE method and observed using microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>As the time of n-Hexane effect increased, the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and GSH were decreased, but the content of MDA was increased, especially in the 7 d group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>n-hexane can induce a series of damages in ovary or testis of SD rats, and lipid-pre-oxidation may be one of the effect process.</p>