An evaluation of two animal models for dietary influences on reproductive toxicology.
Chronic protein deficiency (8 weeks) was examined in marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) and sub-acute (1 week) methionine- and choline-deprivation was investigated in F344 rats. The marmosets were considered to have become protein-deficient but there was no alteration in sperm morphology, either at the end of the diet or 5 weeks later. Weight loss was also observed in rats on the methionine- and choline-free diet and they had significantly decreased sperm counts 4 weeks after the end of treatment. However, there was no effect on sperm morphology, or on the proportion of cytosine residues that were methylated in the sperm DNA.
Brinkworth
M H
MH
British Industrial Biological Research Association, Carshalton, Surrey, England.
Anderson
D
D
D000818:Animals; D001482:Base Composition; D001835:Body Weight; D002144:Callithrix; D002796:Choline Deficiency / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D008715:Methionine / Q000172:deficiency*; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D012016:Reference Values; D013091:Spermatogenesis
D004247:DNA; D008715:Methionine