Egwurugwu J N, Ifedi C U, Uchefuna R C, Ezeokafor E N, Alagwu E A
Department of Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Niger J Physiol Sci. 2013 Jun 30;28(1):17-22.
This study assessed the effects of zinc on male sex hormones and semen quality in male albino wistar rats. Forty rats weighing between 150- 210g, grouped into 5 of 8 rats each, were used for the research that lasted for six weeks. Group I, the control group, received normal rat chow and water ad libitum. The four test groups II-V, received 20g, 40g, 60g and 80g of zinc sulphate mixed with their rat chow respectively in addition to water for six weeks. Blood samples were collected and assayed for Luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Prolactin (PL), testosterone (T), progesterone and oestradiol. Semen was also analysed for sperm motility, sperm count and morphology. Results showed statistically significant decrease in serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) (p< 0.05) in groups II and IV with mean values of 0.10±0.00 and 1.20±0.00 respectively when compared with the control (1.10±0.10). The results also revealed statistically significant increase in the serum levels of testosterone in groups II, III and IV with mean values of 3.60±1.40, 4.5±0.30 and 0.80±0.70 respectively when compared with the control with a value of 0.35±0.15. The increase in testosterone levels were dose dependent as there were consistent increment in groups II and III after which the levels decreased with increasing zinc concentrations. There was statistically significant dose dependent decrease in sperm motility and morphology in the test groups compared with the control (p<0.05). In conclusion, zinc sulphate has some significant positive effects on male sex hormones and sperm quality at doses within physiological levels but harmful at higher doses.
本研究评估了锌对白化雄性Wistar大鼠雄性性激素和精液质量的影响。选用40只体重在150 - 210克之间的大鼠，分为5组，每组8只，用于为期六周的研究。第一组为对照组，随意给予正常大鼠饲料和水。四个试验组II - V，除水以外，分别在六周内将20克、40克、60克和80克硫酸锌与大鼠饲料混合投喂。采集血样并检测促黄体生成素（LH）、促卵泡激素（FSH）、催乳素（PL）、睾酮（T）、孕酮和雌二醇。还对精液进行精子活力、精子计数和形态分析。结果显示，与对照组（1.10±0.10）相比，试验组II和IV的促卵泡激素（FSH）血清水平有统计学意义的显著降低（p<0.05），平均值分别为0.10±0.00和1.20±0.00。结果还显示，与对照组值0.35±0.15相比，试验组II、III和IV的睾酮血清水平有统计学意义的显著升高，平均值分别为3.60±1.40、4.5±0.30和0.80±0.70。睾酮水平的升高呈剂量依赖性，因为试验组II和III持续升高，之后随着锌浓度增加水平下降。与对照组相比，试验组的精子活力和形态有统计学意义的剂量依赖性降低（p<0.05）。总之，硫酸锌在生理水平剂量时对雄性性激素和精子质量有一些显著的积极影响，但在高剂量时有害。
