Evaluation of the effect of lead acetate on rat sperm parameters during the prenatal and lactation periods

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sperm parameters in male Wistar rats exposed to lead acetate during prenatal and lactation periods. In this experimental study, 35 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 7 groups. Rats in the control and sham groups had access to drinking water and a combination of water and glacial acetic acid, respectively. Experimental groups (subgroups of sham) including pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, lactation, pregnancy-lactation and pre-pregnancy-pregnancy-lactation groups had access to 0.2% lead acetate and 0.05% acetic acid in water during the mentioned periods. On day 63 after birth, male offspring were euthanized and sperm samples were taken from the tail of the epididymis and the parameters such as number, survival, chromatin quality, maturity, abnormal shapes and motility were evaluated.  Statistically, lead acetate had significant effects on the studied parameters, so that the number, motility (progressive, P; nonprogressive, NP and immobile, IM), viability, sperm maturity, and the occurrence of abnormal sperm forms in the experimental groups showed a significant decrease (P<0.05). However, chromatin quality and non-progressive sperm motility did not show significant changes (P>0.05). According to the results of the present study, it can be concluded that exposure to lead acetate in the prenatal and lactation periods has significant negative effects on sperm parameters.