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The Effect of Zinc Deficiency on Prostaglandin Synthesis in Rat Testes¹

Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, Human Nutrition, Home Economics Building, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803-4300

The effect of zinc deficiency on prostaglandin synthesis in rat testes was determined by feeding three groups of rats egg white-based semipurified diets. One group (ZD) was fed a zinc-deficient diet and two control groups were pair-fed (PF) or fed ad libitum (AL) a zinc-sufficient diet. The concentration (nanograms/gram) of the prostacyclin metabolite, 6-keto-prostaglandin-F₁ (6-keto-PGF₁), in the tunica homogenate was significantly lower in ZD than in PF and AL groups. However, there was no difference when 6-keto-PGF₁ concentration was expressed as nanograms/milligrams of tunica protein. Tunica PGE₂ concentrations (nanograms/gram) were not significantly altered by zinc deficiency. Concentrations of prostaglandins (PGs) in testis parenchyma were slightly higher in ZD probably as a result of increased levels of the precursor, arachidonic acid (AA). There was a highly significant correlation between PGE₂ and AA in parenchyma phospholipids. PG synthesis was much greater in the tunica than in the parenchyma and prostacyclin appeared to be the major PG synthesized in both the tunica and parenchyma. It was concluded that PG synthesis is altered in the testes of zinc-deficient rats probably due to changes in concentrations of protein in the tunica and AA levels in parenchyma lipids.

KEY WORDS: • zinc deficiency • prostaglandin synthesis • rat testes

¹ This work was supported by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Competitive Human Nutrition Grant (83-CRCR-1-1237) and the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station.

² The work reported here was part of P. C.'s doctoral dissertation, submitted to Louisiana State University.

³ Requests for reprints should be sent to D. H. H. at the address shown above.

Manuscript received 2 April 1984.