Heavy metals correlate with cellular adenosine triphosphate and fructose levels in municipal dumpsite exposure

Abstract

This study assessed the influence of direct exposure of rodents to Awotan Solid Waste Dumpsite (ASWD) in Ibadan, Nigeria.  Reproductive energy content was evaluated by assessing testicular ATP activity, testicular polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), testicular heavy metal and fructose levels in seminal vesicle and coagulating glands. The exposure of the male rats was from postnatal day 22 and for a period of 10 weeks. The direct municipal dumpsite exposure resulted in testicular heavy metal accumulation viz: mercury > iron > zinc > copper > nickel > cadmium > arsenic.  There was a decrease in serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration, an increase in testicular LDH concentration (markers of cellular ATP) and a decrease in the fructose level in the seminal vesicle of the dumpsite exposed (DSE) animals compared with the control. The PCBs were not detected in the testis of DSE animals but there was significant correlation between testicular LDH and some metals. It is concluded that some possible mechanisms by which direct exposure to a dumpsite elicits energy depletion in the male rat testes could be through the inhibition of fructose level and LDH activity.