Toxic effects of lead on the germinal epithelium in male albino rats

To determine the toxic effects of lead on the germinal epithelium of testes of albino rat. Experimental study. Basic Medical Sciences Institute. Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from August 2003 to December 2005. Forty adult Albino rats selected for the study were divided into two groups; group A, received injection normal saline 1 ml intraperitoneally daily for eight weeks. Group B received lead chloride in a dose of 10 mg / kg body weight intraperitoneally daily. The testes were removed and fixed in Bouin's fluid for 24 hours. They were dehydrated in ascending strength of alcohol and the paraffin blocks were made. Four micro m thick tissue sections were obtained, stained with PAS Iron Hematoxylin method and the morphometric study was done. Students T-test was used for statistical analysis. Student's T test was used to determinate significance; P value = 0.05 was taken significant. Mean +/- SEM diameter of seminiferous tubules was 291.92+1.11706mm and 198.54 +/- 1.67282mm in groups A and B respectively after eight week of treatment. Mean diameter of seminiferous tubule of group B was decreased significantly [P<0.0001] as compared to groups A. Mean +/- SEM thickness of germinal epithelium was 96.19 +/- 1.01215 mm and 50.69 +/- 1.20064mm in groups A and B respectively after eight week of treatment. Mean thickness of germinal epithelium of seminiferous tubules of group B was decrease significantly [P<0.0001] as compare to group A. Heavy metal lead present in environment had direct toxic effects on male germinal epithelium and produced damaged on male germinal epithelium