title: Volcanogenic pollution and testicular damage in wild mice.
abstract: Many evidences have surfaced the adverse effects of environmental pollutants on male reproduction. Volcanogenic pollution is understudied, although it is a well-known source of hazardous contaminants. This study aims to assess the effects of chronic exposure to volcanogenic pollution on wild mice testes by studying: (i) diameter of seminiferous tubules; (ii) relative volumetric density of different spermatogenic cells and interstitial space; (iii) damage in the seminiferous tubules and (iv) apoptotic level in the germinal epithelium. The mice from the polluted site showed higher levels of the selected heavy metals than those from the reference site. The mean diameter of seminiferous tubules and the relative volume occupied by spermatozoa and lumen in exposed mice were significantly lower than in the unexposed group. Contrarily, exposed mice showed a significantly higher relative volume occupied by interstitium, as well as, a higher degree of damage and a significantly higher number of apoptotic cells in the germinal epithelium. Results show that secondary manifestations of volcanic activity can pose a serious risk of testicular injury and therefore for male reproduction.
authors.affiliation: University of the Azores, Department of Biology, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal; CIBIO Azores, Center for Research on Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO Associated Laboratory, University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal. Electronic address: anaferreira@uac.pt.
authors.forename: Ana F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: University of the Azores, Department of Biology, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal; CE3C, Center for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, and Azorean Biodiversity Group, University of the Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Portugal. Electronic address: patriciag@uac.pt.
authors.forename: Patrícia Ventura
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.affiliation: University of the Azores, Department of Biology, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal; CVARG, Center for Volcanology and Evaluation of Geological Risks, Ponta Delgada, Portugal. Electronic address: camarinho@uac.pt.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Camarinho
authors.affiliation: University of the Azores, Department of Biology, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal; CVARG, Center for Volcanology and Evaluation of Geological Risks, Ponta Delgada, Portugal. Electronic address: rodrigues@uac.pt.
authors.forename: Armindo dos Santos
authors.initials: Ados S
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D018707:Volcanic Eruptions
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants
keywords: Air pollution; Apoptosis; Histomorphometry; Testicular damage; Volcanism