Effects of peritoneal aluminum overload on polyamines and nitric oxide contents of testes and epididymis in the mice

Polyamines are involved in cellular growth, differentiation and regulation of oxidative stress. The present investigation was to determine the effect of aluminum (Al) toxicity on the nitric oxide products (NOx) and metabolism of polyamines in mouse testes and epididymis. Aluminum chloride, AlCl3, was administered intraperitoneally to CD-1 adult male mice at dosages of 0, 7 or 35 mg Al/kg body weight/day for 14 days (C, LAL and HAL groups). Results obtained show that the weights of epididymis in HAL animals are significantly decreased due to Al administration. Al treatment significantly induced higher Al concentrations in serum, testis and epididymis tissue. In addition, the serum and testicular and epididymal NOx production in HAL and testicular NOx in LAH groups were increased remarkably compared to the control animals. On the contrary, the contents of putrescine and spermine in testis were significantly lower than the values of controls and LAL groups. The epididymal spermine levels of HAL animal also decreased significantly. It is suggested that the polyamine biosynthesis in the mouse testis and epididymis can be affected by Al, which is associated with the NOx production in the male reproductive toxicity.