Nitrite consumption effect on the morphology of the genital system organs and blood biochemistry in the Wistar male rat

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of nitrite ion consumption in the morphology of the genital organs and the biochemistry of the blood of male Wistar rats. The rats were divided into two groups: control (CO) and sodium nitrite (NI). Rats NI group received a liquid diet sodium nitrite solution to 200 mg.L-1. Morphological analysis of the genital system of rats were prostate, seminal gland, right epididymis and right testicle. The blood biochemistries analysis of the rats were glucose, total cholesterol, total protein and albumin. The prostate specific antigen (PSA) was determined by rapid immunochromatographic method. The main results showed that the NI group rats showed masses prostate and epididymis higher and lower, respectively, compared with the CO group rats. No showed significant differences in the glucose, total cholesterol, total protein, albumin and PSA in the CO and NI groups. We conclude that the nitrite ion consumption changed the mass of the prostate and epididymis of Wistar rats.