title: Reversible effects of mercuric chloride on reproductive organs of the male mouse.
abstract: Effects of oral administration of mercuric chloride (HgCl2, 1.25 mg/kg) daily for 30 d on the mouse testis, vas deferens, epididymis, and cauda epididymal sperm were investigated. Testis, vas deferens, and epididymis functions were evaluated with respect to sperm count, motility, and viability, and biochemical tests, including succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), adenosine triphosphatase, sialic acid, protein, cholesterol, and glycogen levels in these tissue. Sperm morphology and sperm nuclear integrity were evaluated with standard staining methods. Treatment did not affect whole body and tissue weights. Sperm parameters and fertility were reduced by HgCl2 and most of the biochemical parameters declined. Morphologic histologic alterations were also observed in the tissues studied. All parameters partially recovered after withdrawal of HgCl2 for 45 d.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India.
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Kapadia
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fransis
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D003307:Copulation; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008627:Mercuric Chloride / Q000633:toxicity*; D051379:Mice; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D013076:Sperm Count / Q000187:drug effects; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone; D008627:Mercuric Chloride