Evaluating male reproductive toxicity in rodents: a new animal model.
Authors
Zenick-H; Blackburn-K; Hope-E; Oudiz-D; Goeden-H
Source
Teratog, Carcinog, Mutagen 1984 Jan; 4(1):109-128
Abstract
An animal model for evaluating male reproductive toxicity was tested. The approach involved evaluating semen samples recovered from the reproductive tract of female rats at specified times post copulation. Females were ovariectomized and allowed a 1 to 2 week recovery period. During the first 30 day period males were repeatedly mated. At 100 days a baseline evaluation of sperm parameters was conducted and mice were assigned to control and treatment groups. An acute treatment was used to pinpoint effects on specific spermatogenic stages. Subchronic exposures were usually for 70 to 80 days corresponding to one full cycle of spermatogenesis. Semen evaluations were conducted at 1, 4, 7, and 10 weeks. Observations were made of damage to the spermatozoa, spermatid, spermatocyte, or spermatogonia stage. The method was applied to study the effects of several known toxic compounds. In the test cases it was possible to observe changes in copulatory behavior, sperm count, fertilization, seminal plug weights, and motility. It was also possible to observe sperm morphology and to make epididymal and testicular histologic assessments. In addition it was possible to measure unscheduled DNA synthesis. The authors expect to develop further means to assess sperm cytostructure and biochemical markers. The method has the advantages of allowing observation of related information on the germ cell and following an individual animal over a period of time.
Keywords
NIOSH-Publication; NIOSH-Grant; Reproductive-system-disorders; Animal-studies; Analytical-methods; Reproductive-hazards; Testes; Fertility; Spermatogenesis; Behavior; Acute-toxicity; Chronic-toxicity; Biological-effects; Deoxyribonucleic-acid-replication
Contact
Environmental Health University of Cincinnati 3223 Eden Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45267
Document Type
Journal Article
Identifying No.
Grant-Number-R01-OH-01272
Priority Area
Fertility and Pregnancy Abnormalities; Disease and Injury; Reproductive-system-disorders
Source Name
Teratogenesis, Carcinogenesis, and Mutagenesis
Performing Organization
University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
