NICOTINE-INDUCED ALTERATIONS IN ACID AND ALKALINE-PHOSPHATASE ACTIVITIES IN THE REPRODUCTIVE-ORGANS OF MALE-RATS UNDER ALTERED PROTEIN STATUS

Acid and alkaline phosphatase (ACP and ALP) activities in plasma, test es and prostate, and sperm counts from cauda epididymis, were estimate d in Wistar strain male rats treated with nicotine tartrate at a dose of 3 mg kg(-1) b.wt day(-1) for 14 days by subcutaneous injection. ACP activity in plasma, testes, and prostate increased significantly, whi le ALP activity in plasma and testes decreased significantly, in exper imental animals as compared to respective controls. The sperm count de clined significantly in both experimental groups. Nicotine may thus be implicated as a potent male reproductive toxin. The degree of toxicit y increases in protein inadequacy.