Abstract
Copper is an essential trace element required for different metabolic functions. The aim was to investigate the toxic effects induced by the over-exposure to copper sulphate. Materials and Methods: Rats were divided into three groups, as follows: the first group (GI) served as untreated control. The second group (GII) and the third group (GIII) were orally treated with a daily dose of copper sulphate 100 mg/kg b.wt. And 200 mg/kg b.wt., respectively for two weeks. Results: At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected and the sera were separated for estimation the levels of total testosterone, follicule stimulating hormone (FSH), leutilizing hormone (LH) and prolactin hormone, alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes; urea, uric acid and creatinine. Results showed a marked reduction in the total testosterone, FSH, LH, and prolactin levels in all treated groups compared to the corresponding controls. Whereas, serum activities ALT, AST, and ALP enzymes and the urea, uric acid and creatinine levels were obviously elevated in all treated groups comparing with control group. Conclusion: The present results revealed that copper sulphate caused disruption in the sexual hormones and all biochemical parameters measured in the current study.
Highlights
Copper is an essential element for normal functioning of the organisms (Krupanidhi et al, 2008)
The data revealed that the treatment of rats with copper sulphate induced a significant decrease in the total testosterone, follicule stimulating hormone (FSH), leutilizing hormone (LH) and prolactin hormones with low and high doses of treatment compared to the corresponding control group
The current study reported that rats treated with copper sulphate showed that there is a highly significant reduction in the total testosterone, FSH, LH and prolactin hormone levels as compared with control levels
Summary
Copper is an essential element for normal functioning of the organisms (Krupanidhi et al, 2008). It is required for normal growth, development, as a complementary of cytochrome system (Kodama and Fujisawa, 2009), and it used as food additives. It is one of the key trace minerals required for an effective immune response. The functions of copper ensure electron-transfer catalysis through its two attainable oxidation states (Georgopoulos et al, 2001). Copper absorbed in the stomach and the upper intestine reaches the liver in the form of a complex
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