ON TESTIS AND EPlDlDYMlS OF RATS - Pondicherry University ...

4.2 Co-administration of TCDD and vitamin E to rats
TCDD (1, 10, and 100 ng/ Kg body weight1 days) and vitamin E (20 mg/ Kg
body weight/ day) were administered orally to pubertal rats for 45 days.
Corresponding groups of animals received equal volumes of vehicle only (vitamin E
dissolved in olive oil) and served as control. The animals were killed after 24 h of the
last treatment.
4.2.1 EfYect of co-administration of TCDD and vitamin E on the body and
organ weights
Administration of TCDD and vitamin E did not show any significant changes
in the body weight of rats in all the experimental groups as compared to the
corresponding groups of control animals (Table 18a).
The weight of the testis, epididymis, seminal vesicles and ventral prostate did
not alter significantly in rats administered with TCDD along with vitamin E as
compared to the corresponding groups of control rats (Table 18a). The weights of the
testis. epididymis and accessory sex organs when expressed relative to the body
weights also showed no significant changes in the rats treated with TCDD and
vitamin E as compared to the corresponding groups of control animals (Table 18b).
The weight of the kidney did not show any significant changes in the TCDD
and vitamin E treated rats as compared to the corresponding groups of control animals
(Table 18a). The weight of the kidney when expressed relative to the body weight did
not decrease in the rats treated with TCDD and vitamin E as compared to the
corresponding groups of control animals (Table 18b).
4.2.2 Effect of co-adminiaimtion of TCDD and vitamin E on the daily sperm
production
Administration of TCDD decreased daily sperm production in a dose
dependent manner as compared to the corresponding group of control animals (Table
19).