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

Thoreux-Manlay, A.; Calle, Juan Felipe Vélez de la; Olivier, Marie-Françoise; Soufir, J. C.; Massé, R.; Pinon‐Lataillade, Ghislaine

doi:10.1016/0300-483x(95)03066-o

Cited by 59 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…In the high dose experiment of ThoreuxManlay et al PbB of 1700 µg/dl after 35 days of exposure resulted in a testicular Pb concentration of 0.8 µg/g in Sprague-Dawley rats, 32 whereas the Charles Foster rats, used in the experiment of Chowdhury et al in 1987, reached testicular Pb concentrations of 2.0, 1.6, 2.6, and 4.3 µg/g with PbB of 56,91,196, and 332 µg/dl respectively after 30 days of exposure. 20 Apparently Sprague-Dawley rats accumulate less Pb in their testicles than other rat strains.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Male reproductive toxicity of lead in animals and humans. ASCLEPIOS Study Group.

et al. 1998

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Objective-To critically review the literature on male reproductive toxicity of lead in animals and humans. Methods-A systematic literature search identified a total of 32 experimental studies in animals and 22 epidemiological studies, one case report on humans and five review articles or documents. The studies were evaluated by paying attention mainly to sample size, study design, exposure, and dose characterisation, analytical method standardisation, and quality assurance. Results-Several studies on rats and other rodents indicated that blood lead concentrations >30-40 µg/dl were associated with impairment of spermatogenesis and reduced concentrations of androgens. However, other animal studies, mainly about histopathological, spermatozoal, and hormonal end points, indicated that certain species and strains were quite resistant to the reproductive toxicity of lead and that diVerent testicular lead concentrations could account for these diVerences. The human studies focused mainly on semen quality, endocrine function, and birth rates in occupationally exposed subjects, and showed that exposure to concentrations of inorganic lead >40 µg/dl in blood impaired male reproductive function by reducing sperm count, volume, and density, or changing sperm motility and morphology. No relevant eVects were detected on endocrine profile. Conclusion-Several factors make it diYcult to extrapolate the animal data to the human situation. The diYculties are mainly due to diVerences between species in reproductive end points and to the level of exposure. Concentrations of blood lead >40 µg/dl seemed to be associated with a decrease in sperm count, volume, motility, and morphological alterations and a possible modest eVect on endocrine profile. Dose-response relation, in particular at a threshold level, is poorly understood, and site, mode, or mechanism of action are unknown. Also, the eVects were not always the same or associated in the same way, although the prevalent eVects were on sperm count and concentration. Some methodological issues and indications for future studies are discussed. (Occup Environ Med 1998;55:364-374)

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Male reproductive toxicity of lead in animals and humans. ASCLEPIOS Study Group.

et al. 1998

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“…Experimental animal studies have shown that lead exposure can lead to testicular atrophy, changes in the weights of accessory glands, alterations in semen quality, and disruption of the hypothalamic-testicular pituitary axis [Sokol et al 1985;Thoreux-Manlay et al 1995]. Leydig cells appear to be a target as lead exposure results in suppression of TE synthesis [Thoreux-Manlay et al 1995], while Sertoli cell function does not appear to be affected [Nathan et al 1992].…”

Section: Animal and In-vitro Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Leydig cells appear to be a target as lead exposure results in suppression of TE synthesis [Thoreux-Manlay et al 1995], while Sertoli cell function does not appear to be affected [Nathan et al 1992]. Lead accumulates preferentially in the epididymus and other accessory glands [Marchlewicz et al 1993;Oldereid et al 1993].…”

Section: Animal and In-vitro Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adverse Effects of Low Level Heavy Metal Exposure on Male Reproductive Function

Wirth

Mijal

2010

Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine

245

164

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Lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic, often referred to as ''heavy metals'', are toxic for wildlife, experimental animals, and humans. While experimental animal and human occupational studies with high exposure levels generally support an adverse role for these metals in human reproductive outcomes, information on the effects of low, environmentally-realistic exposure levels of these metals on male reproductive outcomes is limited. We review the literature on effects of exposure to low levels of these metals on measures of male fertility (semen quality and reproductive hormone levels) and provide supporting evidence from experimental and occupational studies. Potentially modifying effects of genetic polymorphisms on these associations are discussed. A brief review of the literature on the effects of three trace metals, copper, manganese, and molybdenum, that are required for human health, yet may also cause adverse reproductive effects, follows. Overall, there were few studies examining the effects of exposure to low levels of these metals on male reproductive health. For all metals, there were several well-designed studies with sufficient populations appropriately adjusted for potential confounders and many of these reported harmful effects. However, many studies lacked sufficient numbers of participants to be able to detect differences in outcomes between exposed and non-exposed individuals, did not clearly identify the source and characteristics of the participants, and did not control for other exposures that could alter or contribute to the outcomes. The evidence for the effects of low exposure was strongest for cadmium, lead, and mercury and less certain for arsenic. The potential modifying effects of genetic polymorphisms has not been fully explored. Additional studies on the reproductive effects of these toxic ubiquitous metals on male reproduction are required to expand the knowledge base and to resolve inconsistencies.

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“…However, in lead-exposed rats, the plasma T/LH ratio dropped significantly, and the intratesticular T concentration fell dramatically by 84%. This impairment could be due to a decrease in the number of LH binding sites in Leydig cells, or could also be due to a decrease in the biological efficiency of LH, and /or to failure in steroidogenesis (Thoreux-Manlay et al, 1995). Another study showed that LH/T ratios in 3-month-old cryptorchid boys were higher than in normal control boys, suggesting that cryptorchid testes are not capable of normal hormone secretion without increased gonadotropin drive.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decreased Levels of Plasma Testosterone/LH Ratio in Male Mice Exposed to Sodium Arsenite

Chang¹,

Kim²,

Park³

et al. 2010

Biomolecules and Therapeutics

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-While it's been shown that arsenic impairs male reproductive function, it remains unclear whether the mechanism involves an effect on testosterone (T) production. We examined plasma T and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in mice given water containing either 20 or 40 mg/L sodium arsenite (SA). The plasma T levels were lower in SA-treated mice than in controls and correlated well with testicular T levels within individuals. However, SA treatment did not significantly affect plasma LH levels. The ratio of plasma T to LH was reduced by the treatment with 40 mg/L SA. These results suggest arsenic-induced defect in testicular testosterone production in mice.

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

Cited by 59 publications

References 36 publications

Male reproductive toxicity of lead in animals and humans. ASCLEPIOS Study Group.

Male reproductive toxicity of lead in animals and humans. ASCLEPIOS Study Group.

Adverse Effects of Low Level Heavy Metal Exposure on Male Reproductive Function

Decreased Levels of Plasma Testosterone/LH Ratio in Male Mice Exposed to Sodium Arsenite

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