Toxic effect of lead nitrate on testicular functions in male Swiss albino mice

Lead, heavy metal, has been associated with various health disorders including respiratory, digestive, nervous and reproductive systems. Male reproductive disorders are rising worldwide in parallel to increased exposure to harmful chemicals through anthropogenic sources. The aim of this study was to find the effect of lead nitrate on sperm quality, serum testosterone level and testicular histopathology in male Swiss albino mice. Male Swiss albino mice were divided as Control and three groups of lead nitrate treated mice (LN-15,LN-30 and LN-45) with four animals in each group. An oral method was applied to administer 52 mg/ kg body weight of lead nitrate to each mice of LN-15,LN-30 and LN-45 for 15, 30 and 45 days, respectively. Distilled water was administered to the control group for 45 days. Sperm quality and serum testosterone level was studied for each group on completion of exposure to each group. There was a significant decline in sperm count (10.81±0.97 to 5.85±1.22) in LN-45; sperm motility (74.0±5.95 to 47.75±5.97) in LN-30 and (74.0±5.95 to 40.75±7.81) in LN-45; normal sperm morphology(77±3.11 to 42.0±8.04) in LN-30 and (77.50±3.11 to 35.5 ±5.19). Serum testosterone levels decreased significantly (5.29±0.84 to 2.61±0.51) in LN-45 group. Lead nitrate adversely affected testicular functions and increased adversity with a longer exposure duration in Swiss albino mice. It can reduce male fertility by hampering the formation of normal mature sperms.