title: Quaternary ammonium disinfectants cause subfertility in mice by targeting both male and female reproductive processes.
abstract: Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (ADBAC) and didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC) are common ingredients in household bathroom and kitchen cleaning sprays. ADBAC+DDAC cause reproductive toxicity in mice. The aim of the present study was to investigate gender-specific reproductive effects from ADBAC+DDAC. Female reproduction was assessed through ovulation, oocyte implantation, and estrus cycling. Male reproductive function was assessed by sperm concentration, motility, and viability. Numbers of corpora lutea were not different after 2 weeks, but decreased after 8 weeks of ADBAC+DDAC exposure. Dams exposed for 5 weeks to ADBAC+DDAC spent significantly less time in estrus. ADBAC+DDAC exposed males exhibited declines in both sperm concentration and motility, but not sperm viability. Subfertility in mice from ADBAC+DDAC exposure is, therefore, mediated through reproductive disturbances in both females and males. While the effect of ADBAC+DDAC exposure on human health is unclear, widespread exposure necessitates further consideration of their potential reproductive toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, VA Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
authors.forename: Vanessa E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Melin
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Science, E. Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Virginia Campus, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA.
authors.forename: Travis E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Melin
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Science, E. Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Virginia Campus, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA.
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Dessify
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Science, E. Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Virginia Campus, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA.
authors.forename: Christina T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, VA Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
authors.forename: Caroline S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Shea
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, VA Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; Department of Biomedical Science, E. Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Virginia Campus, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA. Electronic address: thrubec@vcom.vt.edu.
authors.forename: Terry C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Hrubec
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000633:toxicity*; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000187:drug effects; D020964:Embryo Loss; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects*; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds; D004202:Disinfectants; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; C027118:didecyldimethylammonium
keywords: Disinfectants; Fertility; Implantation; Ovulation; Quaternary ammonium compounds; Reproduction; Sperm counts