DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i06.054

Pages: 2337-2344

Lead is a heavy metal found in all environmental components such as earth crust, air and water.. The present study evaluates the effect of lead acetate on the histology of the testis and testicular sperm concentration in Wistar Albino rats. Twenty four matured male albino rats were weighed and divided into four groups I, II, III and IV, each comprising of six animals. Group I served as control while groups II, III and IV received 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 150mg/kg body weight lead acetate solution orally for 21 days respectively. At the end of the experiment, animals were sacrificed tissues processed for testicular histology. Administration of 150mg/kg and 200mg/kg of lead acetate solution caused decreased in testicular sperm concentration that was significant at p < 0.05 with an increase in coiling and head detachment that was dose dependent. Histological observation showed thickening and detachment of the basement membrane, degeneration of the germ cells, and degeneration of the cells of the spermatogenic series including sertoli cells. There were also interstitial oedema, congestion of blood vessel, karyolysis and degeneration of Leydig cells. Therefore this study concludes that lead acetate adversely affect the testis by producing various degrees of histopathological changes as dosage increases.