Induction of sperm abnormalities in mice by quercetin

Sperm abnormalities in mice induced by IP injection of quercetin at total cumulative doses of 16, 32, 80, and 160 mg/kg b. wt. administered fractionally on 5 successive days were quantitated by assessing the percent of sperm with abnormal heads or tails. Five weeks after the final injection a maximum of 14.8% abnormal sperm were observed with a total quercetin dose of 80 mg/kg b. wt. compared to the spontaneous control of 0.98%. Concomittantly, a 32.1% reduction in testicular weight occurred compared to control mice which was coincident with a reduction in sperm count of 28%.