Vol. 9, Issue 2, Part G (2025)

This study investigated the effects of quinestrol, a synthetic estrogen, on the male reproductive system of adult male albino rats, with a focus on sperm membrane proteins, particularly lactate dehydrogenase-C. Forty adult male albino rats were divided into two groups (n=20) after acclimatization: a control group receiving peanut/corn oil and a treatment group administered quinestrol orally for 10 days at a dosage of 2 mg/kg of body weight. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of tissue homogenate of testis and epididymis, epididymal fluid and sperm membrane extract revealed reduced protein quality and band intensity in quinestrol-treated rats as compared to controls. Notably, a 35 kDa band corresponding to lactate dehydrogenase-C, crucial for sperm function, was identified in sperm membrane extract. Western blotting confirmed reduced lactate dehydrogenase-C expression in sperm membrane extract from quinestrol-treated rats, further corroborated by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. These findings indicate that quinestrol disrupts biochemical parameters in the testis and epididymis, leading to decreased sperm protein quality and quantity, particularly affecting lactate dehydrogenase C, essential for sperm function.