[The effect of methylmercury on testicular function of mice]

The results showed that the amount of methylmercury (MeHg) in testis correlated positively with exposure doses (r = 0.99 P less than 0.01). MeHg affected the process of spermatogenesis, causing decrease of sperm count and increase of sperm abnormalities. Pathological and electron microscopic examinations indicated that spermatogenic cells were damaged by MeHg especially spermatogonium and spermatocyte. Changes of microstructure were mainly degeneration, fragmentation vacuolation and large lipid drop formation of spermatogenic cells. The acrosome of many spermatids showed obvious changes. Destruction of blood-testis barrier was observed in 1/10 LD50 group. Quantitative histological examination also confirmed that MeHg resulted in lessening of its area of seminiferous tubules and reduction of germ cells. The contents of testosterone were not decreased in the treated groups other than the 1/10 LD50 group.