Morphological Changes in Testes of Rats Exposed to Ethinyl Estradiol in Neonatal Period

Abstract

Introduction:  This study was performed to analyze the effects of neonatal exposure of rat testes to synthetic estrogen, ethinyl estradiol.

Aims:  This study was carried out to assess the role of environmental estrogen on the rat testes.

Material and Methods:  63 male neonatal rats were divided into 3 groups: Group A was control group while B and C were given subcutaneous injections of ethinyl estradiol in a dose of 0.37 mg/kg and 0.037 mg/kg body weight respectively on alternate days in the first two weeks of the neonatal period. The animals were sacrificed at the age of 2, 6 and 9 weeks and morphological aspects of effects studied.

Results:  Mean body weight increased significantly at 6 and 9 weeks in the group given 0.37 mg/kg and 0.037 mg/kg of ethinyl estradiol due to its anabolic effect. However there was a significant reduction in the weight of testes with reduced vas-cularity on prolong exposure to high dose.

Conclusion:  Ethinyl estradiol adversely affects rat testes even in low doses. Although it was not given after 14 days but its negative effects persist till the age of 9 weeks with high dose and testes showed signs of atrophy. On exposure to low dose the effects were reversed.

Key words:  Testes, Environmental estrogen, infertility.