title: Long-lasting effects of lindane on mouse spermatogenesis induced by in utero exposure.
abstract: Long-lasting effects on mouse spermatogenesis induced by prenatal exposure to the insecticide lindane have been investigated by conventional reproductive endpoints complemented by the flow cytometric (FCM) DNA content analysis of testis cells and by the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA). Two lindane dose levels, 15 and 25 mg/kg bw, and diethylstilboestrol (DES, 10 microg/kg bw) as positive control, were administered daily by gavage to pregnant CD1 mice on gestation days (GD) 9-16. Reproductive endpoints were evaluated on F1 male mice on postnatal day (PND) 60; additionally, animals treated with lindane 25 mg/kg per day and DES were examined on PND 100 to evaluate the possible reversibility of the effects. On PND 60, lindane and DES caused a reduction in the sperm head count and concentration, with recovery in older lindane 25 mg/kg per day animals (PND 100). By contrast, the DES group exhibited a greater reduction in the sperm head count on PND 100 than on PND 60. Changes in biochemical parameters in the testes, lactate dehydrogenase-C(4) (LDH-C(4)), and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) activities, were also observed in adult treated F1 mice. Furthermore on PND 60, the FCM analysis revealed changes in the pattern of testicular germ cell distribution, especially in the haploid subcompartment, in the lindane 25 mg/kg per day group. A dose-dependent increase in chromatin abnormalities of the epididymal sperm was also shown by SCSA. These changes recovered on PND 100. Preliminary qualitative examination did not reveal any significant difference in the structure of testicular tissue; however, there were suggestions of a moderate increase in number and size of Leydig cells in both DES- and lindane-treated animals. The partial reversibility of these effects and the lack of structural modification of the testicular tissue as evidenced by histopathologic assessment suggest a functional impairment of sperm production and maturation, possibly associated with changes induced by lindane on factors affecting intratesticular steroidogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Environmental Hygiene, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy. traina@iss.it
authors.forename: Maria Elsa
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Traina
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rescia
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Urbani
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mantovani
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Macrì
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ricciardi
authors.forename: Anna Velia
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Stazi
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fazzi
authors.forename: Eugenia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cordelli
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eleuteri
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Leter
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spanò
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002843:Chromatin / Q000737:chemistry; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D004249:DNA Damage; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013737:Testis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D018675:Toxicity Tests
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D002843:Chromatin; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol; D004247:DNA