Aluminum-induced suppression of testosterone through nitric oxide production in male mice

Excessive nitric oxide (NO) production in mice serum and testis due to aluminum (Al) exposure has been shown in previous studies. The aim of this study was to further investigate the role of NO on aluminum-suppressed testosterone level in male CD-1 mice. Each animal in six groups, was given intraperitoneal injections of either saline, aluminum chloride (AlCl3), l-N6-(1-iminoethyl) lysine (NO synthase inhibitor, l-NIL), or Al chloride along with l-NIL for a period of 12 days. These groups were denoted as C (control, saline), AL (35 mg Al/kg/day, saline), NIL240 (total 240 mg l-NIL/kg, saline), ALNIL240 (35 mg Al/kg/day, total 240 mg l-NIL/kg), ALNIL60 (35 mg Al/kg/day, total 60 mg l-NIL/kg), and NIL60 (total 60 mg l-NIL/kg, saline). Results indicated that serum/testicular aluminum levels increased significantly in aluminum-treated animals compared to the controls, whereas the values observed from groups ALNIL240 than AL/ALNIL60 were markedly lower. Aluminum administration significantly increased NO production and decreased both testicular adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and testosterone levels. A lower level of NO and higher concentrations of cAMP and testosterone observed in the ALNIL240 group indicated that the protective effect of NO synthase blockage was significant, although incomplete. In addition, aluminum induction significantly elevated the testicular cholesterol, but the values were lower in the ALNIL240 group than the AL or the ALNIL60 group. Finally, it was suggested that aluminum compounds exerted a significant adverse effects on the steroidogenesis and cAMP, which aided in the transport of cholesterol to the inner mitochondrial membrane. Furthermore, nitric oxide synthase blockage prevented aluminum-induced reproductive toxicity.