Testicular toxic effect of lead acetate on adult male rats and the potential protective role of alcoholic extract of ginseng (histological, histomorphometrical and physiological)

Objective: This work aims to evaluate the histological and histomorphometrical changes in the testicular oxidative stress in male rats post exposure to lead acetate and the possible protective role of Panax ginseng extract, which reducing heavy metal toxicities has raised worldwide. Methods: Animals were divided into five groups for 5 and 10 weeks. Each group (n=8). Group II, received (100 mg/kg b. wt/day) lead acetate for 5 weeks. Group III, received (100 mg/kg b.wt/day) lead acetate for 10 weeks. Group IV, received (100mg/kg b. wt/day) lead acetate with (200mg/kg b. wt/day) of P. ginseng extract, Group IIV, received (200mg/kg b. wt/day) ethanolic P. ginseng extract after exposure to lead acetate for 10 weeks. LH, FSH and testosterone level, body weight, genital organ weight and concentration of lipid peroxidation product (MDA) was estimated. Results: The result showed clearly impact of lead acetate on testicular tissue of male rats and degenerative changes in seminiferous tubules, vascular congestion, also alteration in spermatogenic layers in many tubules and necrosis dilation of interstitial spaces, leydig cell degeneration, while, the groups receiving P. ginseng extract after exposure for lead acetate (PbAc) were ameliorated the damaging effects, however body weight and testes weight, LH, FSH and testosterone level significantly increase in treated groups with P. ginseng extract. Conclusion: show that dose dependent P. ginseng extract significantly present adverse testicular toxicity and oxidative stress induced with lead acetate.