Plasma absorption and ultrastructural changes of rat testicular cells induced by lindane

This paper describes, Ibr the first time, how topical application in rats o f a commercial preparation of lindane widely used in public health, at simi lar doses and routes of administration as in humans, leads to rapid absorpt ion and accumulation of lindane in the testes. An early peak of absorption was detected in plasm a 6 h after topic al treatment of male Wistar rats wi th a commercial preparation of 1% lindane (Plomurol(R)). Higher plasma leve ls were observed after repetitive doses of so mg/kg b.w., the amount recomm ended for the treatment of scabies and pediculosis in humans in several cou ntries. A residue level of 7.4 +/- 0.67 mug/g was found in testicular tissu e 6 h after a single daily topical application for 4 consecutive days. The ultrastructural study of testicular interstitial cells exposed to dermal ap plication of lindane (Plomurol(R)) revealed widespread damage of a great nu mber of Leydig cells, some of which were completely disintegrated.