S.C. JOSHI, REKH A GOYAL, NISHA CHOUDHARY AND SUNITA JAIN
Abstract
Indiscriminate use of Organochlorine Pesticide has contaminated the environment causing deleterious effects on human health. The present study is therefore designed to find out the specific effects of lindane on reproductive system of male rats, the lindane (7-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane) dissolved in olive oil was administered orally at the dose levels of 10, 15 and 20 mg/kg b.wt./day for 30 days. No significant change in body weight was observed. A significant reduction in the weight of testes and sex accessory organs was observed at all dose levels. The sperm motility in cauda epididymis and sperm density in cauda epididymis and testes were significantly decreased. The fertility test showed 70%, 80% and 90% -ve fertility. The level of testosterone decreases in a dose depending manner. Biochemical results showed that acid phosphatase activity increased significantly while alkaline phosphatase activity was decreased. The protein and cholesterol contents of testes, epididymis, seminal vesicle, ventral prostate and serum were raised significantly. The sialic acid contents of testes, epididymis, seminal vesicle, ventral prostate and testicular glycogen were decreased. All the biochemical observations were dose dependent. These observations suggested that the lindane treatment not only altered the hormonal and biochemical parameters but also altered the reproductive function of male rats.