Effect of lindane on testicular antioxidant system and steroidogenic enzymes in adult rats

Aim: To find out the effect of lindane on testicular antioxidant system and testicular steroidogenesis in adult male rats. Methods: Adult male rats we re orally administered with lindane at a dose of 5.0 mg/kg body weight per day for 30 days. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment the rats were k illed using anesthetic ether. Testes, epididymis, seminal vesicles and vent ral prostate were removed and weighed. A 10% testicular homogenate was prep ared and centrifuged at 4 degreesC. The supernatant was used for various bi ochemical estimations. Results: The body weight and the weights of testes, epididymis, seminal vesicles and ventral prostate were reduced in lindane-t reated rats. There was a significant decline in the activities of antioxida nt enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione reductase w hile an increase in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation was observed. The s pecific activities of testicular steroidogenic enzymes 3 beta -hydroxystero id dehydrogenase and 17 beta -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase were decreased. The levels of DNA, RNA and protein were also decreased in lindane-treated r ats. Conclusion: Lindane induces oxidative stress and decreases antioxidant enzymes in adult male rats.