EFFECT OF ARSENIC (As_2O_3) OF PHARMACOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION ON THE MORPHOLOGICAL STRUCTURE CHANGES OF TESTIS AND SPERM PRODUCTION IN RATS

Objective: To explore the effects of arsenic (As 2O 3) of pharmacological concentration on histological structure changes of testis and sperm production in rats. Methods: Different doses of As 2O 3 (2, 4和8 mg·kg -1 ·d -1 ) were administrated i.p. to the adult male rats. After 2 weeks, the morphological changes of testis were observed, serum content of arsenic was determined; the numbers of testicular sperm head were counted and daily sperm production was calculated. Results: The number of testicular sperm head and daily sperm production in large?doses group decreased more significantly than that of control (P=0 000). There were negative correlation between the content of serum arsenic and the sperm head counts(r=-0 515, P0 01). The morphology of testis in mid?doses group had not significantly changed, but the form of sperm decreased. In large?doses group, there were break and effusion in part seminiferous tubule. The dissolution of basement membrane, the form of sperm decrease, the edema and effusion of testicular mesenchyme, the decrease of Sertoli cells and every stage spermatogenic cells were observed by light microscope. Conclusion: By means of damaging histological structure changes of testis and restraint of sperm production in male rats, As 2O 3 may give rise to male reproduction toxicity.