Protective effects of zinc against lead toxicity in adult mice testis and epididymis

ABSTRACT

Lead is an environmental pollutant which has received much attention, partly because of the particular sensitivity of children to this element. It is capable of impairing many elements of the systems, which results from its great affinity to tissues. Exposure of men to lead has been associated with adverse effects on male reproductive system. So antioxidant nutrients through exogenous supplementation might he associated with beneficial role. Antioxidant nutrients including vitamin E. vitamin C, vitamin B[6], beta-carotene and zinc. This study was designed to investigate the effects of lead following concomitant administration u/zinc on testis and epididymis and its beneficial role in lead-induced oxidative stress. 30 adult male nice were divided into three groups. Group I [control], group II [received lead as lead acetate, 8 mg/kg body weight,] injected to animals intraperitoneal once daily for six weeks while group III [received lead with the same dose as group II and zinc, 1mg/kg zinc sulphate] at the same mime for six weeks. Testes and epididymis were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin. Moreover, Semithin sections of the epididymis and ultrathin sections of the testes were done. The epithelial height in epididymal tubules and the interstitial tissue % in the testes were measured. The testes and epididyinis of lead treated mice showed degenerative changes. The seminiferous tubules Showed disorganization and reduced, germ cells populations which appeared apoptotic with diminished spermatogenesis and deeply stained interstitial cells of Leydig. The interstitial tissue % in the testes increased in lead treated group with high significant difference when compared with control groups. The epididymis appeared damaged with decrease in epididymal epithelial height, in addition to disappearance of apical stereocilia. The testes and epididymis of zinc and lead treated mice showed improvement in the seminiferous and epididymal tubules. In conclusion, zinc played a protective role against lead toxicity in mice testis and epididymis