title: Evaluation of reproductive toxicity in rats caused by organic extracts of Jialing River water of Chongqing, China.
abstract: OECD 421 screening test protocol was used to evaluate the reproductive toxicity of organic extracts of river water. These extracts, at doses of 0, 2, 16, or 80 equivalent L/kgbody weight(bw), were administered to rats daily by oral gavage. Vacuole degeneration of seminiferous epithelium was observed in the dosed groups. The caudal sperm counts/epididymis weight and the percentages of sperm with abnormal heads were increased in the group dosed with 80L/kgbw/day compared to the control group. Exposure of rats to organic extracts at the high dose resulted in a decrease in testosterone levels. The serum level of follicle-stimulating hormone increased in the groups dosed with 16 or 80L/kgbw/day compared to the control group. The number of apoptotic spermatid increased in the dosed groups. The results suggest that the extracts cause pathological damage to testicular tissue and disruption of spermatogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Zhihong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cao