Male reproductive toxicity of sodium arsenite in mice.
The effect of chronic oral exposure to arsenic on male mouse testicular and accessory sex organ weights, sperm parameters and testicular marker enzymes was studied. In addition, the distribution of arsenic in reproductive organs was measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Sodium arsenite administered to mice (Mus musculus) via drinking water at a dose of 53.39 micromol/L (4 ppm As) for 365 days caused a decrease in the absolute and relative testicular weight. However, epididymal and accessory sex organ weight was similar to control. The activities of marker testicular enzymes such as sorbitol dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase and 17beta-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase (17beta-HSD) were significantly decreased, but those of lactate dehydrogenase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) were significantly increased. A decrease in sperm count and sperm motility, along with an increase in abnormal sperm, was observed in arsenite-exposed mice. A significant accumulation of arsenic in testes, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate gland was observed in treated animals. Thus long term exposure (365 days) at the dose level of 53.39 micromol/L sodium arsenite (4 ppm As), to which human beings are likely to be exposed via drinking water, may cause testicular and spermatotoxic effect.
Pant
Niraj
N
Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Post Box No 80 MG Marg, Lucknow 226001, India. nirajpant1@rediffmail.com
Murthy
R C
RC
Srivastava
S P
SP
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D018053:Arsenites / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology* / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D017670:Sodium Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*
D018053:Arsenites; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D017670:Sodium Compounds; C017947:sodium arsenite