Testosterone Supplemented Protection On Inhibition Of Testicular Function Induced By Copper Chloride

Though being an importance trace element required for normal metabolic activities, copper has some adverse effects in various organ-systems including testis. Occupational exposure to copper in different industries may result in abnormal rise in plasma copper level which can bring about spermatogenic inhibition. Our findings on inhibition of spermatogenesis and decrease in testosterone production after copper chloride treatment in a dose and duration dependent manner, led us to investigate whether exogenous supplementation of testosterone can have any reversible effect on this reproductive inhibition by copper exposure in male rats. Treatment of copper chloride at the dose of treatment resulted in significant recovery of spermatogenesis (as evidenced by quantitative evaluation of spermatogenesis at stage VII), plasma testosterone level and weights of accessory sex organs. Conversely, testicular weight, plasma FSH & LH levels and testicular steroidogenic enzyme activities remained inhibited. Testicular copper content also found to remain elevated after testosterone supplementation. Though complete recovery of testicular dysfunction, elevated testicular copper content and reduced gonadotropin levels induced by copper could not be achieved, almost complete protection of spermatogenesis was observed after testosterone supplementation in copper treated rats. Thus it can be concluded that copper exposure affects hypothalmo-pituitary-testicular axis and thereby testosterone production rather than directly affecting testis. Further studies are required to elucidate the exact mechanism of this recovery after testosterone supplementation in copper exposed testis.