ADVERSE EFFECTS OF NICKEL ON TESTICULAR EFFICIENCY OF MALE RABBITS

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Animal Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, National Research Center, Dokki, Egypt.

2 Department of Animal Reproduction and Artificial Josemiuation, National Research Center Dokki , Cairo , Egypt.

3 Department of Animal Reproduction and Artificial Insemination National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.

Abstract

This study was designed to understand the role of nickel chloride (Nicl2) on the testicular efficiency of male rabbits. Effects of low (200 µg / animal ) and high (1000 µg / animal) doses of Nicl2 on the level of testosterone and estradiol -17β hormones and on the blood picture of male rabbits were investigated. Thirty two mature male rabbits were divided into 4 groups. The first group was kept as control. Nicl2 was orally administered to rabbits 5 times per week for 8 weeks. The low dose of Ni (200 µg/animal) was drenched to rabbits in the second group, while those in the third group received the higher dose (1000 µg / animal). The fourth group received 200 µg/animal of Nicl2 along the period of the experiment (8 weeks), then left without Ni treatment for more 8 weeks to study the possible recovery. The results showed that low and high concentration of Ni induced a significant increase in White Blood Cells (WBCS) and blood platelets count. Testosterone level in both plasma and testicular tissues from rabbits in second and third groups was significantly decreased. However estradiol -17B level was significantly increased in their plasma. The level of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) were significantly decreased in plasma and testicular tissues of animals in second and third groups, while the level of manganese (Mn) in their plasma and testicular tissues did not changed. The level of Ni in their plasma and testicular tissues showed a highly significant increase. Recovery period was quiet good that it allowed some parameters to regain nearly the control values. Fractionation of serum proteins showed only elevation in gamma globulins with low and high dose levels of nickel, while other types of globulins were not affected. Histological examination of the testis showed a partial degeneration of testicular elements and the se- verity of the effects increased with increasing the dose. It is concluded that, nickel administration may affect the reproductive efficiency of male rabbits through direct affection on testicular tissues or through disturbance of reproductive hormones levels.

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