Investigation on nitrate induced histological alterations in vas deferens of rats

Nitrate (NO 3 ) contamination is a serious global concern as high level of NO 3 adversely affect different components of the male reproductive system including accessory sex organs. However, there are no reports of NO 3 effects on vas deferens. With this background, the study was undertaken to investigate the effects of NO 3 contaminated ground water and sodium nitrate (NaNO 3 ) on vas deferens of rats. Adult rats were randomly divided into control, NO 3 contaminated ground water and NaNO 3 (100 mg kg −1 bw/1mL/rat) treated groups ( n = 5). The animals were exposed to NO 3 for 52 days and after the treatment period, the rats were sacrificed and histological alterations in vas deferens, few biochemical and sperm parameters were analyzed. Nitrate exposure resulted in significant increase in percentage gain in body weight, abnormal spermatozoa and nitrite level in spermatozoa. Further, there was significant decrease in relative weight of vas deferens, sperm motility and serum concentration of testosterone in NO 3 exposed rats compared to control. Histologically, distorted pseudostratified columnar epithelium, damaged stereocilia, reduced luminal sperm population, damaged basal lamina and disorganized muscle layers were observed in vas deferens of NO 3 treated rats compared to control. In addition, the height of pseudostratified columnar epithelium and diameter of muscularis was significantly reduced in NO 3 exposed rats compared to control. The present investigation clearly indicated the adverse effects of NO 3 on vas deferens; one of the important accessory reproductive structures in transport of mature sperm to the urethra. Further, exposure to NO 3 contaminated ground water caused severe histological damage in vas deferens compared to that of NaNO 3.