Lead affects steroidogenesis in rat Leydig cells in vivo and in vitro.

Lead is known to impede the male reproductive function, however, the mechanisms through which the adverse effects are mediated are not clearly elucidated. In order to get insight into those mechanisms, we have examined the effects of lead on the biosynthesis of steroid hormones by Leydig cells in the rat. To determine whether lead has a direct action on Leydig cells, we have compared the concentrations of testosterone secreted by Leydig cells in ex vivo experiments after animals had been injected with high doses of lead and in vitro experiments with Leydig cells from normal rats maintained in culture in presence or absence of lead.

Reproductive toxicity of chronic lead exposure in male and female mice.

The reproductive toxicity of lead was investigated in NMRI mice exposed to 0.5% lead acetate in drinking water from day 1 of intra-uterine life until 60 days after birth. Compared with control mice, the weights of lead-exposed fetuses and subsequently of the lead-exposed weaned pups, male and female, diminished by 11 and 13% respectively.

Impairment of testicular endocrine function after lead intoxication in the adult rat.

To clarify the mechanism of the action of lead on male reproductive function, adult male rats were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with lead acetate (8 mg/kg/day of lead), 5 days a week for 35 days.

Effects of lead poisoning of rats during pregnancy on the reproductive system and fertility of their offspring.

1. The effects of lead poisoning during pregnancy were tested on female Sprague-Dawley rats that inhaled 5 mg m-3 lead oxide for 13 days during gestation. At the end of gestation, the respective blood lead levels of dams and fetuses were 71.

Effect of ingestion and inhalation of lead on the reproductive system and fertility of adult male rats and their progeny.

Ninety-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were intoxicated for 70 d with lead, given either as 0.3% lead acetate in drinking water or by inhalation as 5 mg m-3 lead oxide. Direct or transmitted lead toxicity for the male reproductive system was assessed in the rats and their offspring from pituitary and genital organ weights after exposure, the numbers of Sertoli and germ cells, the number, motility and morphology of epididymal spermatozoa, the levels of plasma testosterone, LH and FSH and fertility tests.