Lead acetate induced cytotoxicity in male germinal cells of Swiss mice.

Single intraperitoneal injection of lead acetate (200 mg/kg b.w) to Swiss mice stimulated testicular weight loss with a constant increase in the incidence of abnormal sperm population and decrease in the total sperm count. Testicular ascorbic acid also declined significantly during the post-treatment phase with significant rise in Lipid Peroxidation Potential (LPP) of the tissue. Elevated LPP is indicative of oxidative stress in treated mice testes. The possible role of lead-induced oxidative stress in culminating increased sperm abnormality and decreased sperm count have been discussed. Further, possible antioxidative role of testicular ascorbic acid in minimizing oxidative stress in lead-treated mice has been demonstrated.