In vitro production of testosterone and plasma levels of luteinising hormone, testosterone and cortisol in male rats treated with heptachlor

Comp Biochem Physiol C Pharmacol Toxicol Endocrinol. 1997 Nov;118(3):381-6. doi: 10.1016/s0742-8413(97)00104-7.

Abstract

Male rats were divided into six groups of five rats each. Rats were injected subcutaneously with different concentrations of heptachlor for 2 weeks. Heptachlor at all doses significantly suppressed plasma testosterone levels (P < 0.05). Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) (P < 0.01) and cortisol (P < 0.02) levels were significantly elevated in heptachlor-treated rats as compared to corn oil-treated controls. LH and testosterone levels showed strong correlation (r = 0.69, P < 0.05). The testes in rats treated with 25 mg/kg body weight of heptachlor showed some pathological changes. We conclude that heptachlor causes adverse effects on several male reproductive parameters in rats.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Cell Survival
  • Heptachlor / administration & dosage
  • Heptachlor / toxicity*
  • Hydrocortisone / blood*
  • Insecticides / administration & dosage
  • Insecticides / toxicity*
  • Leydig Cells / drug effects*
  • Leydig Cells / metabolism
  • Linear Models
  • Luteinizing Hormone / blood*
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Testis / drug effects
  • Testis / pathology
  • Testosterone / biosynthesis
  • Testosterone / blood*

Substances

  • Insecticides
  • Testosterone
  • Heptachlor
  • Luteinizing Hormone
  • Hydrocortisone