Toxic effect of lead of mice testicles after its administration with drinking water

The experiments were carried out with male mice of the strain CBA x C57BL/10. Lead dinitrate was added to drinking water to obtain the final lead concentration of 0.05 g/l. The material was removed on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th week. Testicles were removed fixed in the mixture of neutral formol and 3% K2Cr2O7. Tissue samples were processed by routine procedure and stained with HE and PAS. A relative volume proportion of seminiferous tubules and of interstitial tissue of the testicles was determined by the method of point counting. The first changes in the germinal epithelium of seminiferous tubules were found on the 2nd week after the application. Atypical cells varying in size up to large multinuclear cells were present. With a prolonged time of exposition they multiplied and various dystrophic changes up to disintegration of cells of the germinal epithelium occurred. The experimental groups showed (compared to controls) an increased volume of interstitial tissue. A prolonged exposition led to a marked enlargement of the interstitial tissue.