Toxic effect of nickel sulfate on germ cells of rats and NOS

  Objective   To study the toxic effect of nickel sulfate on the germ cells in female rats and its mechanism.

  Methods   Nickel sulfate was injected intraperitoneally for Wistar female rats with sexual maturation daily at different doses (1.25, 2.50, 5.00 mg/kg) for 21 days. The number of superovulation and surviving ovum were observed through cell culture, Activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and nitric oxide (NO) content in the ovary were measured.

  Results   The number of superovulation and surviving ovum was lower than those in the control group; activity of NOS and NO content in the ovary of the rats given nickel sulfate were higher compared with control group.

  Conclusion   The ovary of the female rats was damaged by peritoneal injection of nickel sulfate, the number of superovulation and surviving ovum decrease was possibly associated with the increase of activity of NOS and NO content in the ovary.