title: [Effect of hexachlorobenzene on some male reproductive parameters in Meriones unguiculatus].
abstract: Organochlorine pesticides are known to cause disturbances in many physiological functions. The effects of in vivo administered hexachlorobenzene (HCB) on the male testicular function were studied in Meriones unguiculatus. Three groups of sexually mature meriones were orally exposed to 1.6, 4, and 16 mg/kg of body weight in olive oil for 30 days. Morphological and morphometrical estimations were applied to quantify some structural constituents of the testes. Testicular weight was significantly decreased in all treated groups, while no change was noted in seminal vesicle weight. A decrease in the spermatozoid content of the seminiferous tube was noted and appeared correlated with a modification of the process of spermatogenesis. Spermatic activity in HCB-treated animals testes decreased significantly, particularly in the group treated with the higher dose (60+/-3.16% vs. 88+/-4.89% in controls). Plasma testosterone levels were decreased significantly in the groups treated with 4 and 16 mg[HCB]/kg BW (0.48+/-0.08 ng/ml and 0.54+/-0.07 ng/ml) comparatively to controls (1.08+/-0.1 ng/ml) p<0.01.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de physiologie animale, département des sciences biologiques, UR Physiologie environnementale et biorythmes, faculté des sciences de Tunis, 2092 Tunis, Tunisie. bitrilotfi@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Lotfi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bitri
authors.forename: Wafa
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Darragi
authors.forename: Latifa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ouertani
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Maurel
authors.forename: Moncef Ben
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Saad
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005849:Gerbillinae; D006581:Hexachlorobenzene / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D013076:Sperm Count; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D013739:Testosterone; D006581:Hexachlorobenzene