Changes in rat testicular antioxidant defence profile as a function of age and its impairment by hexachlorocyclohexane during critical stages of maturation.

Age-related changes in rat testicular oxidative stress parameters were investigated. A biphasic pattern was evident for lipid peroxidation and for the activity ratio of superoxide dismutase to catalase and glutathione peroxidase with increasing age. In the first phase of life (birth-7 days), a linear fall in lipid peroxidation was accompanied by a gradual increase in the enzyme ratio which was reversed in the second phase (15-600 days). Glutathione and ascorbic acid levels increased from birth to the 45th day and remained unchanged up till 365 days and then reduced at 600 days of age. The maximum level of H2O2 observed at birth gradually decreased till 90 days and remained unchanged up till 365 days of age; thereafter its level was elevated on day 600. The results suggest that an antioxidant defence system plays a crucial role in development and maturation of the rat testis. When the rats were treated with hexachlorocyclohexane during critical stages of testicular development (6th-30th day) and responses were evaluated on the 46th day of age, elevations in the levels of testicular lipid peroxidation and H2O2 along with reduction in levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase and ascorbic acid were observed. However, no change in glutathione and its metabolizing enzymes was recorded. On the other hand, hexachlorocyclohexane elevated total testicular Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase activity. The results advocate for impairment of testicular functions in adult age as a consequence of some permanent lesions induced by hexachlorocyclohexane during critical stages of sexual maturation.