title: The consequences of aluminium intake on reproductive function in male rats:a three-generation study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effects of aluminium exposure on reproductive biomarkers in male rats were followed in a three-generation study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty Wistar male rats (F0) were divided into the following groups: control (C), receiving only tap water, and three experimental (E) groups, receiving aluminium sulphate (AS) (E1: 200 ppb, E2: 400 ppb, and E3: 1000 ppb) in drinking water for a 6-month exposure period. To obtain F1, three males from each group were mated with previously unexposed females (1:2 sex ratios) that during gestation and lactation were exposed to the same AS levels as males. The F1 generation male offspring were divided as described and exposed to the same AS levels. The protocol to obtain F2 was similar to that described for F1.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significantly lower testosterone levels in rats exposed to AS and in generations F1 and F2 compared to the parental one, luteinising hormone (LH) fluctuations in F0 and a significant LH decrease in F2 and F3 generations, testis weight decrease, increased immobile and abnormal sperm, and histoarchitecture alterations in the testes were observed. Moreover, interval between deliveries increased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronic exposure to AS was significantly deleterious, producing a pronounced decrease in the sperm count and testosterone levels in all experimental groups.
authors: Toxicology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Banat's University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine"King Michael I of Romania" from Timișoara, Romania.
authors: Florin
authors: F
authors: Muselin
authors: Pharmacology and Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Banat's University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine "King Michael I of Romania" from Timișoara, Romania.
authors: Romeo Teodor
authors: RT
authors: Cristina
authors: Reproduction and Gynaecology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Banat's University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine "King Michael I of Romania" from Timișoara, Romania.
authors: Violeta
authors: V
authors: İgna
authors: Pharmacology and Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Banat's University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine "King Michael I of Romania" from Timișoara, Romania.
authors: Eugenia
authors: E
authors: Dumitrescu
authors: Histology and Embryology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Banat's University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine "King Michael I of Romania" from Timișoara, Romania.
authors: Diana
authors: D
authors: Brezovan
authors: Toxicology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Banat's University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine"King Michael I of Romania" from Timișoara, Romania.
authors: Alexandra
authors: A
authors: Trif
mesh_terms: D000535:Aluminum / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012098:Reproduction; D013094:Spermatozoa; D013737:Testis
chemical_list: D000535:Aluminum
keywords: Aluminium exposure; rat model; reproductive disruptor