Accumulation of dietary methylmercury in the testes of the adult brown norway rat: Impaired testicular and epididymal function

Journal Article · Fri May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1998 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620170514· OSTI ID:675485

Friedmann, A S; Chen, H; Zirkin, B R ^[1]; Rabuck, L D ^[2]

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1. Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD (United States). School of Health and Public Hygiene
2. Univ. of Wisconsin, La Crosse, WI (United States)

The widespread consumption of fish containing elevated concentrations of methylmercury has prompted concern over the health effects of such a diet. Previous studies with rodents have indicated that exposure to dietary mercury (Hg) impairs male reproductive health. However, adverse effects were observed following doses in the range of milligrams per kilogram of body weight, whereas typical human consumption in the United States is in the range of micrograms per kilogram of body weight. This study examined the effects of dietary Hg on male rats using levels of the metal that are more similar to those typically consumed by humans. For 19 weeks, adult male Brown Norway rats were administered methylmercury twice weekly at 0.8, 8.0, or 80 {micro}g/kg. Intratesticular testosterone levels in the high-dose group were reduced by 44$, suggesting that steroidogenesis in these animals was dramatically impaired. Although sperm production was not significantly affected, numbers of sperm in the cauda epididymides of the high-dose group were reduced by 17%. Furthermore, there was a negative correlation between fertility and testicular Hg content. These results raise the possibility that exposure to Hg at levels consumed by humans may result in steroidogenic impairment, reduced sperm counts, and fertility problems.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 675485
• Journal Information: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 17; ISSN ETOCDK; ISSN 0730-7268
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
BIOLOGICAL MODELS
FOOD CHAINS
METHYLMERCURY
TESTES
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
WATER POLLUTION