Chronic effect of endosulfan on the testicular functions of rat.

AIM

To find out the toxic effect of endosulfan on the testicular function of pubertal rats.

METHODS

Male rats of pubertal age were orally administered endosulfan at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg body weight for 30 days. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment, the rats were sacrificed and the testis, epididymis, seminal vesicles and ventral prostate were removed and weighed. A 10% testicular homogenate was prepared for biochemical estimations.

RESULTS

In endosulfan-treated rats, there were a reduction in the body weight and the weights of testis and accessory sex organs, a decrease in the testicular lactate and pyruvate activities, and in the testicular DNA and RNA concentrations, whereas the testicular protein concentration was slightly increased; the specific activity of testicular steroidogenic enzyme, 3beta-OH-steroid dehydrogenase and the ascorbic acid level were decreased, which were correlated with a decrease in steroidogenesis. The lysosomal enzyme acid phosphatase and brush-border enzyme alkaline phosphatase activities were also decreased in the testis of treated rats.

CONCLUSION

In pubertal rats, endosulfan treatment inhibits the testicular functions.