The Effect of Antioxidant (Gallic acid) on the Testes of Lead Acetate Induced Wistar Rat

Objective Lead is considered one of the major causes of infertility among occupational workers in manufacturing companies such as electric storage batteries, glass and ceramic wares. This study was carried out to confirm the effect of Gallic acid as an antioxidant on Lead acetate treated male albino rats. Methods Twenty albino rats weighing between 140 g and 200 g were divided equally into four groups. Group A served as the control, group B was treated with 60 mg/kg body weight of Lead acetate, group C received 50 mg/kg body weight of Gallic acid and group D received both Lead acetate and Gallic acid for 14 days. Results The result showed slight increase in the body weights and testes of group B and D compared to the control group and there was a slight decrease in group C. Rats in group B showed a significant increase in MDA (3224.63±89.38 unit/mg protein) but a slight increase was observed in the level of MDA (1537.70± 53.92 unit/mg protein) in group D. The level of Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) in group B was 338.75±18.87 nmol min mL, which was the highest among the groups and significant. Conclusion Lead acetate is toxic to the gonad, it causes degeneration and reduction in spermatogenic activity in seminiferous tubules. However, the effect of Lead on the male reproductive organ can be reverse significantly by an antioxidant (gallic acid) due to its ability to scavenge for oxidative stress caused by Lead.