Reproductive toxicity and toxicokinetics of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. 3. Effects of single doses on the testis of male rats.
The effects of a single dose of TCDD on the testis were studied in rats. The animals were treated (subcutaneously) once with TCDD doses of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0 micrograms/kg body weight. Doses of 3.0 or 5.0 micrograms TCDD/kg reduced the number of spermatids/testis significantly (60% of the controls). Electron microscopic inspection revealed that both doses led to a dissolution on the germinal epithelium. Altered germ cells at all developmental stages occurred in all testes evaluated. Doses of 0.5 or 1.0 micrograms TCDD/kg did not induce any effects in the testis; therefore, under these experimental conditions of single exposure to rats the dose of 1.0 micrograms TCDD/kg can be considered as NOAEL.
Chahoud
I
I
Institut für Toxikologie und Embryopharmakologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany.
Hartmann
J
J
Rune
G M
GM
Neubert
D
D
D000818:Animals; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013087:Spermatids / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins