Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Ch. Charan Singh University, Meerut - 250 004, India.
Benzene toxicity in bone marrow, liver, kidney and lungs is fully understood. However, reproductive toxicity of benzene is poorly known. Therefore, an attempt was made to study its toxicity in the testis of rat. We observed that oxidative stress induced by benzene manifests its toxicity in testis. Further, a relationship amongst testosterone, lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress was established. An adaptive response observed after 60 days of benzene treatment in testis was attributed to reduced glutathione. Elevated testosterone seems to offer protection against oxidative stress induced by benzene in testes. Histo-pathological results supported the adaptive response. We suggest that glutathione status in testis can serve as marker of reproductive toxicity of benzene.
Testis, Benzene, Oxidative stress, Testosterone
