Ultrastructure of the testis in rats with blood hypertension induced by long-term lead exposure.

Male Sprague-Dawley rats received 60 micrograms/ml of lead (as acetate) in drinking water for 18 months. Their blood pressure and cardiac inotropism were increased. Lead was augmented in blood, kidney and brain, but not in testis. Examination by light microscopy of the organs did not reveal alterations. Ultrastructural examination of the testis with both transmission and scanning electron microscopy (EM) did not evidence modifications in the external part of the seminiferous tubules, in the spermatogenetic cells and in the connective tissue including the Leydig cells; only Sertoli cells presented increased size of lysosomes.