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Updated: Sep 22, 2025
07:08
Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
Published on: March 6, 2018
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Tributyltin chloride exposure to post-ejaculatory sperm reduces motility, mitochondrial function and subsequent
Bradford W Daigneault1, João D de Agostini Losano1
1Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Reproduction, Fertility, and Development
|May 25, 2022
Summary
Environmental toxicant tributyltin chloride (TBT) impairs sperm function and reduces embryo development. This study reveals TBT
Area of Science:
- Reproductive toxicology
- Environmental health
- Sperm biology
Background:
- Male exposure to environmental toxicants can disrupt sperm function.
- The effects of organotins on post-ejaculatory sperm and fertility are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the effects of tributyltin chloride (TBT) exposure on sperm function and embryo development.
- To investigate the impact of TBT on male fertility and early embryonic loss.
Main Methods:
- Bovine sperm were exposed to varying concentrations of TBT (0.1-100nM).
- Sperm motility and mitochondrial membrane potential were analyzed.
- Fertility was assessed through in vitro embryo production using TBT-exposed sperm.
Main Results:
- TBT exposure significantly reduced sperm motility and velocity.
- Mitochondrial membrane potential decreased in TBT-exposed sperm.
- Embryo development rates (cleavage and morula formation) were significantly lower when using TBT-exposed sperm.
Conclusions:
- TBT exposure negatively impacts sperm function, including motility and mitochondrial health.
- Fertilization with TBT-exposed sperm leads to reduced embryo development via paternal factors.
- Environmental exposure to TBT may contribute to idiopathic subfertility and early pregnancy loss.
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