Sperm maturation associated with subfertility following hyperbaric exposure of mice

Mice exposed to 50 ATA heliox pressure during one spermatogenic cycle subsequently exhibit subfertility which can recover over an 8-wk period. This study was designed to investigate the changes in spermatid and testicular histology associated with these phenomena. Electron microscopy of testicular tissue from hyperbaric-exposed animals revealed a significant effect on spermatogenesis including disorganization and patchy necrosis of the epithelium. Two weeks after exposure to pressure, abnormalities were more difficult to find and tissues taken from animals 8 wk after exposure were indistinguishable from normal. These data directly confirm our earlier hypothesis that chronic hyperbaric exposure has a deleterious effect on sperm maturation, which is subsequently manifest as a failure in fertilizing capacity.