Jornal de Citologia e Histologia

Reproductive Toxicity of Lead Acetate in Adult male Rats: Histopathological and Cytotoxic Studies

Abstract

Zohra Haouas, Ines Zidi, Amira Sallem, Rakia Bhouri, Tesnim Ajina, Monia Zaouali and Meriem Mehdi

The present study was conducted to assess the histopathological and cytotoxic effect of lead exposure on male reproductive function. Adult male rats were divided in 2 groups. The first as a control group was given distilled water as drinking, while the second was exposed to 2 g/l of lead acetate in distilled water during 35 days. The structural damage on tests parenchyma was investigated by histological study and supplemented by biochemical assay of testosterone level. DNA fragmentation in germinal cells was determined using terminal desoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay. The histological study showed that lead can induce pronounced alterations on germ cells. The testosterone level was significantly decreased in treated rats compared to controls. TUNEL assay revealed a significant DNA fragmentation index in rats exposed to lead. This study showed TUNEL assay can be used to determinate DNA fragmentation in germinal cells. Moreover, we conclude that lead acetate may be considered as strong cytotoxic and genotoxic agent on male reproductive function.