The effects of sodium arsenite on the testis structure and sex hormones in vasectomised rats

Background: Sodium arsenite and/ or vasectomy may cause variation in sex hormones which affect pathophysiology of reproductive organs. Objective: The aim was to investigate the morphological changes in structure of testis and hormonal imbalance in bilateral Vasectomised rats treated with sodium arsenite. Materials and Methods: Four groups of rats: bilateral vasectomy + sodium arsenite, bilateral vasectomy, sham operated + sodium arsenite and sham operated only were considered, and 8 mg/kg/ day of sodium arsenite was given for 8 weeks to the rats. The total volume of testis, volume of interstitial tissue, volume of seminiferous tubules, diameter of seminiferous tubules and germinal epithelium thickness were evaluated using stereological methods. Hormones were also measured and the results were analyzed using one way ANOVA. Results: A significant reduction of total volume of testis (p<0.01), mean volume of seminiferous tubules (p<0.002) as well as germinal epithelium thickness (p<0.05) in both vasectomy + sodium arsenite and vasectomy rats was seen compared to sham operated only. In addition a significant reduction of testosterone was observed in vasectomy + sodium arsenite group when compared to the other groups (p<0.001). LH level decreased significantly in vasectomy + sodium arsenite when compared to sham operated ones (p<0.05). Conclusion: Vasectomy and treatment with sodium arsenite affect the structure of testis with respect to its volume, volume of seminiferous tubules and thickness of germinal epithelium, which may be due to variation of LH and testosterone level in the rats.