Male reproductive effect of nickel sulphate in mice

Nickel sulphate was administered orally to adult male mice at dose level of 5 and 10 mg/kg body weight (5 days per week) for 35 days. There was no cha nge in body weight. However a significant decrease in absolute and organ-to -body weight ratios of testes, epididymides, seminal vesicles and prostate gland was observed. The sperm abnormality, associated with decrease in sper m motility and sperm count was also observed. Significant alterations in th e activities of marker testicular enzymes, viz. sorbitol dehydrogenase (dec reases), lactate dehydrogenase (increases) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidas e (increases) associated with histopathological changes in testes, epididym ides and seminal vesicles, were also observed. Accumulation of nickel in te stes, epididymides and seminal vesicles was also observed. The study reveal s that the oral exposure to nickel may affect the histology of testes, epid idymides, seminal vesicles and sperms morphology. These testicular and sper matotoxic changes may be responsible for observed male mediated development al toxic effects.