Effect of Cr(V) on reproductive organ morphology and sperm parameters: an experimental study in mice.
BACKGROUND
Cr(V) species are formed during the intracellular reduction of Cr(VI), a ubiquitous environmental pollutant. In this study, the acute toxicity of a physiologically stable Cr(V) compound, [CrV-BT](2-) (BT = bis(hydroxyethyl)aminotris(hydroxymethyl)methane) was investigated in the male reproductive system of sexually mature 60-day-old male ICR-CD1 mice.


METHODS
Eight-week-old animals were subcutaneously injected daily with a dose of ca 8 micromol of Cr/mouse, during 5 days. The control group was injected with 0.5 mL of BT buffer. Testis and epididymis morphology was evaluated using light and transmission electron microscopy. Epididymal sperm counts, motility and acrosome integrity were also assayed using standard methods.


RESULTS
Seminiferous epithelium abnormalities were detected in the CrV-BT experimental group, including intraepithelial vacuolation, and remarkable degeneration of Sertoli cells, spermatocytes and spermatids. The premature release of germ cells into the tubular lumen was also evident. Histological evaluation of epididymal compartments revealed apparently normal features. However, the epididymal epithelium presented vacuolation. [CrV-BT](2-) induced a reduction in sperm acrosome integrity. However, sperm motility and density were not significantly affected.


CONCLUSIONS
This in vivo study using a Cr(V) compound, provides evidence for the potential reproductive hazards caused on male reproductive system by species containing chromium in intermediate oxidation states.
Pereira
Maria de Lourdes
Mde L
Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal. lpereira@bio.ua.pt
das Neves
Ricardo Pires
RP
Oliveira
Helena
H
Santos
Teresa Margarida
TM
de Jesus
Júlio Pedrosa
JP
D020101:Acrosome Reaction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002857:Chromium / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D023421:Models, Animal; D009928:Organ Specificity; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects*
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D002857:Chromium