The effects of acrylamide on sperm parameters and membrane integrity of epididymal spermatozoa in mice.
OBJECTIVE
Acrylamide is a chemically reactive substance used in various industries. Recently, the discovery of acrylamide in a variety of human foods including heat-processed starchy foods such as potato chips and bread has been reported. Acrylamide is also known as a carcinogen and cytotoxic material. The aim of this study was to evaluate the detrimental effects of acrylamide on membrane integrity and sperm parameters in mice.


METHODS
This experimental study was conducted on thirty male NMRI mice, aged 8-10 weeks and weighing 25-30 g. They were randomly allotted into three equal groups. Group I (low dose) and group II (high dose) were fed on water solutions containing acrylamide 5 and 10 mg/kg/day, respectively, for 2 months, while the third group received fresh water as the control group. Sperm analysis was done for parameters as well as evaluation of membrane integrity by Hypoosmotic Swelling Test (HOS-test) for sperm tails and Eosin-Y staining for sperm heads.


RESULTS
Total sperm motility and progressive motility (fast and slow) in both groups, I and II, decreased significantly (P = 0.00), but no significant change was observed in non-progressive motility (P > 0.05). The total motile sperm percentage decreased significantly only in group II (P = 0.01). Sperm morphology did not significantly change in the experimental groups compared to the controls (P > 0.05). In sperm membrane integrity evaluation, functional intact membrane of sperm tail in both groups I and II had a significant decrease (P = 0.00), but membrane integrity of the sperm head decreased significantly only in group II (P = 0.00).


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that acrylamide, through effects on membrane integrity, decreased sperm vitality as well as causing abnormal sperm parameters in progressive motility and total motility.
Kermani-Alghoraishi
Mohammad
M
Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. mohammad.kermani@gmail.com
Anvari
Mortaza
M
Talebi
Ali Reza
AR
Amini-Rad
Omid
O
Ghahramani
Rahil
R
Miresmaili
Seyed Mohsen
SM
D020106:Acrylamide / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D020106:Acrylamide; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS)