Objective To analyze the toxic effects of organic pollutants extracted from pipeline water in G City on the reproductive organ weights and hormone levels of male rats.
Methods Organic pollutants in pipeline water samples from a district of G City were extracted by solid phase extraction method. Forty SD adult male rats were divided into solvent control group(administered with corn oil), low dose group(administered with organic pollutants extraction, OPE, 3 L/kg body weight per day), moderate dose group(OPE, 15 L/kg body weight per day), and high dose group(OPE, 75 L/kg body weight per day). OPE were administered to the rats once a day, and continuously for 28 days. The rats were sacrificed after OPE administration ended and serum samples were collected for luteinizing hormone(LH), testosterone(T), and estradiol(E2)measurement by chemiluminescence.
Results Compared with the control group, no obvious changes were observed in the weights of testis and epididymis in the 3 exposed groups(P>0.05). With the increase of OPE dosage, the level of rats, serum LH decreased, but compared with the solvent control group, no statistical significance existed(P>0.05). The level of E2 obviously increased in a dose-dependent manner, especially in the moderate and the high dose groups(P<0.05 or P<0.01). The levels of T in the 3 exposed groups were ascending at first and followed by descending along with the increment of OPE dosage, but a significant decline was only observed in the high dose group(P<0.05).
Conclusion Exposure to moderate and high doses of OPE extracted from the pipeline water in G city can induce damages to testis leydig cells, destroy the balance of reproductive hormones, and finally result in reproductive dysfunction.
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