Reproduction and fertility evaluations in CD rats following nitrobenzene inhalation

A two-generation reproduction study was performed by exposure of Sprague-Dawley CD rats to concentrations of 40, 10, 1, or 0 (control) ppm of nitrobenzene (NB) vapor. No NB-related effects on reproduction were observed at 10 or 1 ppm. At 40 ppm, a decrease in the fertility index of the F0 and F1 generations occurred, which was associated with alterations in the male reproductive organs. Specifically, weights of testes and epididymides were reduced and seminiferous tubule atrophy, spermatocyte degeneration, and the presence of giant syncytial spermatocytes were observed. The only significant finding in the litters derived from rats exposed to 40 ppm was an approximate 12% decrease in the mean body weight of F1 pups on Postnatal Day 21. Survival indices were unaltered. To examine the reversibility of this selective effect on male gonads, the F1 males from the 40-ppm group were allowed a 9-week nonexposure period and mated to naive females. An almost fivefold increase in the fertility index was observed, indicating at least partial functional reversibility upon removal from NB exposure. Also, the numbers of giant syncytial spermatocytes and degenerated spermatocytes were greatly reduced. The results of this study support the selection of 10 ppm of NB as the no-observable-effect level for reproduction and fertility effects in rats.