Effect of long-term exposure to lead on testis and epididymis in rats.

The relation was studied between the morphology of tests and epididymides on the one hand, and the lead content in these organs on the other. The testes of rats, which for the time of 5 spermatogeneses (9 months) were drinking 1% lead acetate(II), displayed all generations and layers of spermatogenic cells at respective stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle. The lead content in testes of the animals did not differ significantly from the value of this element in gonads of control rats. The epididymal cells also failed to show morphological changes however, in all epididymal zones there were fewer spermatozoa than in the corresponding zones in control rats. Many spermatozoa revealed abnormal reactions of oxidoreductive enzymes in the midpiece. There were also local defects in tetrazolium salt reduction and segmental or total lack of formazan deposits in the mitochondrial sheath. The lead content in epididymes of these animals was significantly higher than in epididymides of control rats. The obtained results of the studies highlight the possibility for lead to accumulate in epididymis, and for lead compounds to damage spermatozoa in this organ.