Influence of chronic exposure to uranium on male reproduction in mice

Journal Article · Wed May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1991 · Fundamental and Applied Toxicology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-0590(91)90167-3· OSTI ID:5011206

Llobet, J M; Sirvent, J J; Ortega, A; Domingo, J L ^[1]

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1. Laboratory of Toxicology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Reus (Spain)

Relatively few data are available concerning the reproductive and developmental toxicity of uranium. The present study was designed to evaluate the reproductive effects of this metal in male Swiss mice. The animals were treated with uranyl acetate dihydrate at doses of 0, 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg/day given in the drinking water for 64 days. To evaluate the fertility of the uranium-treated males, mice were mated with untreated females for 4 days. There was a significant but non-dose-related decrease in the pregnancy rate of these animals. Body weights were significantly depressed only in the 80 mg/kg/day group. Testicular function/spermatogenesis was not affected by uranium at any dose, as evidenced by normal testes and epididymis weights and normal spermatogenesis, whereas interstitial alterations and vacuolization of Leydig cells were seen at 80 mg/kg/day. The results of this investigation indicate that uranium does not cause any adverse effect on testicular function in mice at the concentrations usually ingested in the diet and drinking water, with a safety factor of more than 1000. However, although spermatogenesis was not affected by uranium administration, uranium produces a significant decrease in the pregnancy rate at 10, 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg/day.

• OSTI ID: 5011206
• Journal Information: Fundamental and Applied Toxicology; (United States), Journal Name: Fundamental and Applied Toxicology; (United States) Vol. 16:4; ISSN FAATD; ISSN 0272-0590
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560162* -- Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
& Toxicology-- Animals
Plants
Microorganisms
& Cells
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACTINIDES
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
DOSES
ELEMENTS
FERTILITY
GAMETES
GERM CELLS
GONADS
MALE GENITALS
MAMMALS
METALS
MICE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANOMETALLIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
REPRODUCTION
RODENTS
SPERMATOZOA
TESTES
TOXICITY
URANIUM
VERTEBRATES