Spermatogenesis recovery in the mouse after iron injury

Alloys used as prosthetic devices for bone/joint replacement include some heavy metals such as chromium, iron, nickel, or titanium. Unfortunately, due to the aggressive nature of the physiological environment, corrosion of these alloys promotes the release of metal ions into the surrounding tissues causing systemic toxic effects. Our previous preliminary studies have demonstrated that iron induced several morphological changes within mice seminiferous epithelium. The aim of the present work was to investigate, over a one-month period, the possibility of recovery of mice seminiferous epithelium, previously damaged by iron. Male Charles River mice were dosed subcutaneously with 0.5 mL of an iron suspension of 538 mg/L +/- 10(-10) mg/L (n = 5) every 72 hours during two weeks, followed by a recovery period of 30 days. Fragments of the seminiferous tubules were fixed in glutaraldehyde and prepared for light and transmission electron microscopy. Regeneration of spermatogenesis was noted after a one-month period, as illustrated by the presence of normal germ cells, in the usual position within the seminiferous tubules. These germinal elements and the Sertoli cells have shown normal cytological features. These results strongly suggest that the deleterious effects induced by iron are reversible. The presence of residual bodies within Sertoli cells cytoplasm indicates that they are able to perform a normal functional activity in a recovered spermatogenesis.