Aluminum Chloride Causes the Dysfunction of Testes Through Inhibiting the ATPase Enzyme Activities and Gonadotropin Receptor Expression in Rats.

The aim of this experiment is to explore the effects of aluminum chloride (AlCl3) on the ATPase enzymes and gonadotropin receptors in the testes. Eighty male Wistar rats were orally exposed to 0 mg/kg body weight (BW) (control group, CG), 64 mg/kg BW (low-dose group, LG), 128 mg/kg BW (mid-dose group, MG), or 256 mg/kg BW (high-dose group, HG) for 120 days. The microstructure and ultrastructure of testes; the activities of Na+-K+-ATPase, Mg2+-ATPase, and Ca2+-ATPase; and the mRNA and protein expressions of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and luteinizing hormone receptors (LHR) in the testes were examined. The results showed that the testes histological structure were damaged; the activities of Na+-K+-ATPase, Mg2+-ATPase, and Ca2+-ATPase, the mRNA and protein expressions of FSHR and LHR in the testes were all decreased in the rats with AlCl3 exposure. It indicates that AlCl3 causes the dysfunction of testes in rats.