Concurrent Lead and Noise Exposure Effects on Testicular Tissue of Rat: An Experimental Study

Batol Masruri; Iraj Alimohammadi; Mohammad Reza Abyaz; Nargess Moghadasi; Parvaneh Yekzamani; Baharak  Mohammadzadeh Asl; Nooshin Asadmasjedi; Azadeh Ashtarinezhad

doi:10.18502/jfrh.v16i2.9483

Batol Masruri Student Research Committee, School of Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Iraj Alimohammadi Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Reza Abyaz Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran
Nargess Moghadasi Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Parvaneh Yekzamani Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Baharak Mohammadzadeh Asl Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Nooshin Asadmasjedi Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedical Sciences, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran
Azadeh Ashtarinezhad Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jfrh.v16i2.9483

Keywords: Lead Acetate; Noise, Testis; Rat; Infertility

Abstract

Objective: Environmental stressors such as physical and chemical factors can have a destructive testicular function. The present study aimed to determine the effect of concomitant exposure to lead and noise on testicular tissue in male rats.

Materials and methods: Twenty male Wistar rats (250-300 g, 12-13wk) were divided into four groups (n=5/each): 1) Control group, 2) Lead group treated with 4 mg/kg lead acetate by gavage for 30 days, 3) Noise group exposed to 4 kHz octave band at 105 dBA for eight hrs./ day for 30 days, and 4) the exposed group to lead plus noise concurrently. The testes' weight was measured, and testes abnormalities were assessed after staining with Hematoxylin and Eosin.

Results: The results showed that the weight of testes in experimental groups was significantly decreased compared with the control group (p<0.0001). Also indicated edema, degeneration and necrotic cell debris in the lumen, congestion and atrophy of seminiferous tubule in rat testes tissue due to sub-acute exposure to lead and noise.

Conclusion: Exposure to 105 dB and lead can cause damage to the seminiferous tubules, intubation edema, and testicular weight loss compared to control. We also found that simultaneous exposure to noise and lead could have more detrimental effects on testicular histology and weight than others.