Spermatotoxic effects of α-chlorohydrin in rats

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the potential effects of α-chlorohydrin (ACH) on epididymal function and antioxidant system in male rats. The test chemical was administered to male rats by gavage at doses of 0, 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg/day for 7 days. Twenty-four male rats were randomly assigned to four experimental groups, with six rats in each group. Spermatotoxicity was assessed by measurement of reproductive organ weight, testicular sperm head count, epididymal sperm motility and morphology, histopathologic examination, and oxidative damage analysis in rats. At 30 mg/kg/day, an increase in the incidence of clinical signs, epididymis weight, and gross necropsy findings of the epididymis, a decrease in the sperm motility, and an increased incidence of histopathological changes of the epididymis were observed in a dose-dependent manner. At 10 mg/kg/day, an increased incidence of clinical signs and histopathological changes and decreased sperm motility were observed. In the oxidative damage analysis, an increase in the malondialdehyde concentration and a decrease in the glutathione content and glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities in the epididymal tissue were detected at ≥3 mg/kg/day. The results show that graded doses of ACH elicit depletion of the antioxidant defense system and that the spermatotoxicity of ACH may be due to the induction of oxidative stress.

Keywords: oxidative stress; reproductive dysfunction; sperm; α-Chlorohydrin.

Figure 1

Representative photographs of the epididymis sections from the control and high dose groups stained with hematoxylin and eosin. (A) Caput epididymis of control rat showing normal epithelium and luminal contents. (B, C) Caput epididymis treated with 30 mg/kg/day ACH, with cell debris in ducts (⋆), oligospermia (▾), spermatic granuloma (↑), and vacuolization of epithelial cells (▴). (A and C, ×400; B, ×100)