Abstract
Objective:The current study investigated the effects of clomiphene citrate on the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis, steroidogenesis, sperm parameters, and testicular antioxidant enzyme activity of male Wistar rats submitted to lead acetate (Pb)-induced reproductive toxicity. Methods:Twenty adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of equal size as follows: Control; Clomid (0.35 mg/kg); Pb (10 mg/kg); and Clomid + Pb. Serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, testicular 17-β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17-β HSD) activity, androgen receptors, catalase activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), sperm motility, viability, counts and morphology were estimated after oral administration of Clomid and/or lead acetate for 35 consecutive days. Data were analyzed using ANOVA at p<0.05.Results:Lead acetate significantly decreased (p<0.05) serum LH and testosterone levels, testicular 17β-HSD activity, androgen receptor expression, sperm motility, viability, counts, catalase activity, and SOD when compared with controls. Abnormal sperm morphology and MDA were significantly increased (p<0.05) in the Pb group compared with controls. Clomid co-administrated with lead acetate significantly increased (p<0.05) serum LH, testosterone levels, testicular 17β-HSD, androgen receptor expression, sperm motility and viability when compared with the group given lead acetate.Conclusions:The present study suggests that clomiphene citrate may stimulate testicular testosterone synthesis, sperm motility and viability via luteinizing hormone in a context of lead acetate-induced reproductive toxicity.
Highlights
Many environmental and occupational chemicals are harmful to reproductive function and fertility (Cherry et al, 2008; Taskinen et al, 2011)
Serum testosterone levels were significantly reduced (p
Androgen receptor expression was significantly reduced (p
Summary
Many environmental and occupational chemicals are harmful to reproductive function and fertility (Cherry et al, 2008; Taskinen et al, 2011). Lead stands out as an environmental and occupational chemical agent This heavy metal occurs naturally in the environment and from activities such as burning fossil fuels, mining, and manufacturing (Gabby, 2006). It is present in various domestic and industrial applications such as the production of ammunition, cosmetics, glass pigments, lead-acid batteries, metal products (solder and pipes), oxides for paints, and devices to shield against X-rays (Gabby, 2006). It has been well documented that lead impairs the reproductive function of experimental animals and humans through endocrine disruption (Biswas & Ghosh, 2004; Hernández-Ochoa et al, 2005; Jackie et al, 2011) and depletion of antioxidant reserves (Gorbel et al, 2002; Elgawish & Abdelrazek, 2014)
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