Sperm assays in man and other mammals as indicators of chemically induced testicular dysfunction

Conference · Thu Jul 31 04:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:5058703

Wyrobek, A J

Human sperm assays can be effective in identifying chemical agents that alter testicular function. Four human sperm assays are available - sperm density, motility, morphology, and the YFF test. Sperm assays have practical advantages over other approaches for assessing chemically induced changes in human testicular function, and they have been used in more than 60 different occupational, environmental, and drug-related chemical exposures. Studies of chemically induced sperm anomalies in other mammals have provided data on several hundred agents and encompass numerous species. The most widely used animal sperm assay is sperm morphology of mice. It is simple, quantitative, and sensitive to carcinogens, mutagens, and teratogens. The availability of both human and animal sperm assays provides a valuable link between human and animal studies which may be of potential benefit in assessing the heritable genetic risk associated with chemically induced sperm defects. Results from sperm assays may be used in conjunction with results from short term mutagenicity assays (those with definitive genetic endpoints) to identify those mutagens that may be active in the mammalian testes.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5058703
• Report Number(s): UCRL-84593; CONF-800323-3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOASSAY
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
CARCINOGENS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CORRELATIONS
GAMETES
GENETIC EFFECTS
GERM CELLS
MAMMALS
MAN
MUTAGEN SCREENING
MUTAGENS
PRIMATES
SCREENING
SPERMATOZOA
VERTEBRATES