title: Reproductive toxicity in male mice caused by organic extracts in tap water from the Jialing River in Chongqing, China.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recently, male reproductive disturbances caused by organic pollutants have aroused particular public concern about the safety of drinking water. The aim of this study was to investigate the toxicity of organic extracts (OE) in tap water from the source of the Jialing River in China on the reproductive system of male mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Kunming male mice were randomly divided into four groups, which included a solvent control (dimethylsulfoxide), a low-, mid-, and high-dose of OE (12.5, 25, and 50 l/kg bw/day, respectively) treated groups. Mice were administered intraperitoneal injections of OE at different doses for five consecutive days. On the 15th day, after treatments, the mice were sacrificed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that the number of epididymal sperm in the high OE group was decreased significantly (p<0.05); however, the frequency of sperm abnormalities in all treated groups were increased significantly (p<0.05). In addition, serum testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels in the treated groups were also decreased significantly (p<0.05), and mid- and high-doses of OE resulted in a significant decrease in the activity of acid phosphatase and increased activity of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (p<0.05). Histological changes were observed in the mid- and high-dose OE-treated groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study suggest that mid and high doses of OE could disturb the male reproductive system in mice. The potential adverse effects of these compounds on the male reproductive system are worthy of further study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Hygiene, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Ji-An
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zhi-Qun
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Jia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Wei-Qun
authors.initials: WQ
authors.lastname: Shu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002681:China; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000633:toxicity*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D009930:Organic Chemicals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D013739:Testosterone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone