Histophysiological changes of sex organs in methylmercury intoxicated mice

Methylmercury (MeHg) treatment intramuscularly at doses of 10 and 20 micrograms separately/day/mouse for 30 days affected the weight of body and organs like testes, vas deferens and seminal vesicles in mice. Diminution of testosterone in serum was also associated with an accumulation of cholesterol in testes and reduction in seminal vesicle fructose. Altered spermatogenesis and Leydig cell morphology in testes and the changes in histoarchitecture of seminal vesicle and vas deferens indicated androgen deficiency in treated mice. Thus, the data suggested that MeHg administration to mice induced androgen deprived effect to target organs probably by blocking Leydig cell function.