Histopathological Degeneration of Spermatogenesis and Histomorphometric Alterations of the Testicular Microanatomy of Male Wistar Rats after Oral Lead Intoxication

Background: Lead is a heavy metal known to exert pathological effects on the male reproductive organs. Aim and Objectives: To study the degeneration of spermatogenesis and histomorphometric alterations of the testicular microanatomy of male Wistar rats after oral lead intoxication. Material and Methods: Eighty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (1- 4) and further subdivided into 4 subgroups (A, B, C, and D) each containing five (n=5) rats depending on dosage and duration (3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks) of treatment. Group 1 received 1 ml of distilled water daily. Group 2 received 0.5% lead daily, Group 3 received 1.0% of lead daily and Group 4 received 1.5% of lead daily respectively. Testicular weights, histomorphometry and histological analysis using Toluidine Blue were observed. Results: It showed that significant reductions (P<0.05) in testicular weights in the treatment groups administered with lead for periods of 3-9 weeks as compared to the control while a significant increase (P<0.05) was observed in the group administered for 12 weeks. Histomorphometric analysis showed significant reductions (P<0.05) in Seminiferous tubule diameter, length of germinal epithelium and cross sectional in the treatment groups administered for periods of 3-12 weeks while significant increase (P