Effect of lead chloride on spermatogenesis and sperm parameters in mice.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of acute lead chloride exposure on testis and sperm parameters in mice.


METHODS
PbCl2, 74 mg/kg, was daily administered to sexually mature male mice for 3 days and the effects on the testicular histology and ultrastructure as well as the motility and density of spermatozoa in cauda epididymis were observed. An additional group of mice were treated for 1-3 days and were allowed to recover for 32 days to determine the reversibility of lead-induced changes.


RESULTS
The testicular weight, seminiferous tubular diameter and sperm counts were significantly decreased following 3 days of PbCl2 treatment, but were unaffected by shorter-term exposures. The changes caused by lead are mostly reversible.


CONCLUSIONS
Acute lead chloride exposure injures the fertility parameters of male mice and the effects are partially reversible.
Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810 Aveiro, Portugal.
Antonio
A
Graça
João
J
Ramalho-Santos
Maria
M
de Lourdes Pereira
D000818:Animals; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007854:Lead / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D007854:Lead; C029891:lead chloride