RESUMEN

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.

Asunto(s)

Heptacloro/toxicidad , Hidrocortisona/sangre , Insecticidas/toxicidad , Células Intersticiales del Testículo/efectos de los fármacos , Hormona Luteinizante/sangre , Testosterona/sangre , Animales , Peso Corporal/efectos de los fármacos , Supervivencia Celular , Heptacloro/administración & dosificación , Insecticidas/administración & dosificación , Células Intersticiales del Testículo/metabolismo , Modelos Lineales , Masculino , Ratas , Ratas Sprague-Dawley , Testículo/efectos de los fármacos , Testículo/patología , Testosterona/biosíntesis