Long-term effects of triethylenemelamine exposure on mouse testis cells and sperm chromatin structure assayed by flow cytometry

Journal Article · Sat Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1988 · Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/em.2850140203· OSTI ID:7005843

Evenson, D P; Baer, R K; Jost, L K ^[1]

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1. South Dakota State Univ., Brookings (USA)

The toxic and potentially mutagenic actions of triethylenemelamine (TEM) on mouse body and testis weights, testicular cell kinetics, sperm production, sperm head morphology, and sperm chromatin structure were assessed in two experiments. The first experiment examined effects of four dose levels of TEM, assayed 1, 4, or 10 wk after toxic exposure. In the second study, effects from five dosage levels were measured at 1, 4, and 10 wk, and the highest dosage level was evaluated over 44 wk. TEM produced an expected dose related loss of spermatogenic activity and subsequent recovery as determined by dual-parameter (DNA, RNA) flow cytometry (FCM) measurements of testicular cells. Both testicular weights and caudal sperm reserves remained generally below controls after 44 wk recovery following exposure to the highest dosage. Chromatin structure alterations, defined as increased susceptibility to DNA denaturation in situ, and sperm head morphology were highly correlated with dose and with each other. Sperm head morphology and sperm chromatic structure remained abnormal at 44 wk for the 1.0 mg/kg TEM dosage, suggesting that the abnormalities, present long after the initial toxic response, may be a result of mutation. This study demonstrates that flow cytometry provides a unique, rapid, and efficient means to measure effects of reproductive toxins and potential mutagens.

• OSTI ID: 7005843
• Journal Information: Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis; (USA), Journal Name: Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis; (USA) Vol. 14:2; ISSN EMMUE; ISSN 0893-6692
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALKYLATING AGENTS
AMINES
ANIMALS
AZINES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
CELL FLOW SYSTEMS
CHROMATIN
DNA
GAMETES
GAMETOGENESIS
GERM CELLS
GONADS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
MALE GENITALS
MAMMALS
MELAMINE
MICE
MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
MORPHOLOGY
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
REPRODUCTION
RODENTS
SPERMATOGENESIS
SPERMATOZOA
TESTES
TRIAZINES
VERTEBRATES
WEIGHT