Effects of microcystin-LR on reproductive system of male rats

Objective To investigate the effects of MC-dLR on reproductive system of male rats,and to explore the mechanism.Methods Forty male rats were divided at random into four groups:control group and experiment group 1,2 and 3,with 10 animals in each group.The animals in control group received peritoneal injection of normal saline,and the experiment group 1,2 and 3 received peritoneal injection of 5 μg/(kg·d),10 μg/(kg·d),15 μg(kg·d) of MC-dLR,respectively.After 2 weeks,the body weight and testes weight of the rats were measured,and the pathological changes of testes observed,the serum levels of hormone and the oxidative stress index detected.Results The body weight and net weight gain of the rats were decreased(P0.05),the mean absolute weight of the testes and the mean relative weight of the testes were decreased(P0.01) in the 3 experiment groups.By histological examination,the seminiferous tubules were atrophied and obstructed,and disorder form was observed.The serum testosterone level was decreased in the experiment group 2 and 3(P0.05).The levels of MDA in serum and testis tissue were increased in all rats of the experiment groups,while the SOD activity was decreased in the experiment group 2 and 3,compared with the control group(P0.05).Conclusions These findings suggest that long-time exposure to MC-dLR may induce reproductive damage of rats.The mechanism may be that MC-dLR could change the oxidative stress of body and testis,then inducing the reproductive toxicity.