Sera 17β-estradiol (E2), 11-ketotestesteron (11-KT) and 17,20-β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20βP) levels together with histological changes in liver and gonad tissues were determined after exposing sexually mature female C.carpio to 0.13 and 0.26 mg L− 1 lead for 7, 14 and 21 days. Effects of lead on hepatosomatic - gonadosomatic indices of female fish were also determined after these exposure periods. No statistically significant differences were found between the E2, 11-KT and 17,20βP levels of control and lead exposed fish at the exposure periods tested. GSI values increased after exposure to high levels of Pb for 14 days and HSI values decreased after exposure to high levels of Pb after 7 and 21 days. Histopathological inspection showed dilatation in bile ducts and sinusoids, central vein congestions and pigment accumulation. Moreover melanomacrophage centres were determined in the centre of liver parenchyma on day 21. No distinct pathology was observable in ovary tissues compared to controls. No endocrine disrupted characteristic, widespread pathologic disruption and effect on ovary tissues were detected in female C.carpio exposed to the mentioned concentrations of Pb at the periods studied.