Effects of tributyltin on epididymal function and sperm maturation in mice

The effects of tributyltin (TBT) on sperm parameters and epididymal function were investigated following oral doses of 0.5, 5 and 50μg/kg every 3 days for 45 days to male KM mouse. The TBT-treated groups showed a significant decrease in sperm counts and a significant increase in sperm abnormality both in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of matrilysin (MMP7) transcript in epididymis of mice exposed to TBT was significantly decreased in 5 and 50μg/kg group. There was a dose-dependent decline trend in the acid phosphatase activity, which somewhat relates with the TBT-induced increase in sperm abnormality. Acrosin and lactate dehydrogenase-X isoenzyme (LDH-X) activities from the cauda epididymal spermatozoa showed a dose-dependent decrease in the TBT groups. The result indicates a suppression of essential sperm maturational processes that precede the penetration of the oocyte by the sperm, such as capacitation and acrosome reaction. These results suggest that TBT could cause a spermatotoxic effects, the decline of sperm count and quality caused by TBT suggests that this chemical could impair fertility in animals.