Effects of lead on the male reproductive system in mice

The effect of environmental lead on the male reproductive system has been a major area of concern for several years. Lead toxicity to the male reproductive system of sexually mature male CF-1 mice was investigated by administering two concentrations of lead (0.25% and 0.5%) via drinking water for 6 wk. The low lead dose significantly reduced the number of sperm within the epididymis, while the high dose reduced both the sperm count and percentage of motile sperm and increased the percentage of abnormal sperm within the epididymis. There was no significant effect on testis weight; however, the high-dose treatment significantly decreased the epididymis and seminal vesicle weights as well as overall body weight gain. Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone (T) levels were not affected by lead administration indicating that in adult male CF-1 mice, lead targets testicular spermatogenesis and sperm within the epididymis to produce reproductive toxicity rather than acting at other sites within the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis.