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Updated: Aug 29, 2026
Determination of Reproductive Competence by Confirming Pubertal Onset and Performing a Fertility Assay in Mice and Rats
Published on: October 13, 2018
Spermatogenetic disorders in adult rats exposed to tributyltin chloride during puberty
Wook Joon Yu1, Beom Jun Lee, Sang Yoon Nam
1College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Japan.
Abstract:
Adverse effects of tributyltin (TBT) chloride were investigated on the reproductive system in male adult rats as exposed during puberty. Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats at the age of 35 days were assigned to five different groups: negative control receiving vehicle, methyltestosterone (10 mg/kg B.W.), and TBT chloride treatments (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg B.W.). Animals were treated by oral gavage for ten consecutive days and sacrificed at 5 weeks after final treatment. The treatment of TBT chloride at the high dose of 20 mg/kg B.W. significantly decreased homogenization-resistant testicular sperm counts (p<0.05). The TBT chloride treatment at the doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg B.W. also significantly decreased caudal epididymal sperm counts (p<0.01). Some of motion kinematic parameters (motility, mean angular displacement, lateral head displacement, and dance) of sperms retrieved from vasa deference were significantly decreased in rats treated with the TBT chloride at the dose of 20 mg/kg B.W. (p<0.05). These results provide a further evidence that an exposure to TBT chloride during pubertal period in male rats produces spermatogenic disorders characterized by decreasing testicular and epididymal sperm counts and some motion parameters of sperms in the vasa deference.
Insights
Tributyltin chloride exposure during puberty in male rats significantly reduced sperm counts and motility. This endocrine disruptor causes reproductive harm, impacting male fertility.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Toxicology
- Reproductive Toxicology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Tributyltin (TBT) chloride is an organotin compound with known endocrine-disrupting properties.
- Pubertal development is a critical window for male reproductive system maturation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the adverse effects of TBT chloride exposure during puberty on the male rat reproductive system.
- To assess the impact of TBT chloride on sperm parameters and testicular function.
Main Methods:
- Male Sprague-Dawley rats (35 days old) were exposed to TBT chloride (5, 10, 20 mg/kg B.W.) or methyltestosterone via oral gavage for 10 days.
- Sperm counts, motility, and kinematic parameters were evaluated at 5 weeks post-treatment.
Main Results:
- TBT chloride (20 mg/kg) significantly decreased testicular sperm counts.
- TBT chloride (10 and 20 mg/kg) significantly reduced caudal epididymal sperm counts.
- Sperm motility and kinematic parameters were significantly impaired at the highest TBT chloride dose.
Conclusions:
- Pubertal exposure to TBT chloride induces spermatogenic disorders in male rats.
- TBT chloride exposure negatively impacts sperm production and quality, potentially affecting male fertility.
- These findings highlight the reproductive risks associated with TBT chloride exposure during critical developmental periods.
