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Effect of lead chloride on spermatogenesis and sperm parameters in mice
Antonio Graça1, João Ramalho-Santos, Maria de Lourdes Pereira
1Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810 Aveiro, Portugal.
Aim:
To evaluate the effect of acute lead chloride exposure on testis and sperm parameters in mice.
Methods:
PbCl2, 74 mg/kg, was daily administered to sexually mature male mice for 3 days and the effects on the testicular histology and ultrastructure as well as the motility and density of spermatozoa in cauda epididymis were observed. An additional group of mice were treated for 1-3 days and were allowed to recover for 32 days to determine the reversibility of lead-induced changes.
Results:
The testicular weight, seminiferous tubular diameter and sperm counts were significantly decreased following 3 days of PbCl2 treatment, but were unaffected by shorter-term exposures. The changes caused by lead are mostly reversible.
Conclusion:
Acute lead chloride exposure injures the fertility parameters of male mice and the effects are partially reversible.
