Experimental Study On Male Reproductive Toxicity In Mice Induced By Automobile Exhaust

Objective To investigate the male reproductive toxicity in mice induced by automobile exhaust.Methods 60 Kunming male mice,8-week-old,weighing 32~38g,were randomly divided into six groups,three groups exposed to automobile exhaust in an inhalation chamber(0.5h/day ),the main component of automobile exhaust were measured.After exposed to automobile exhaust for 30d,60d and 90d,blood samples were collected by removing eyeball,body,testes and epididymides weights were measured respectively.The epididymal sperm concentration and epididymal sperm motility,superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity and malondialdehyde(MDA) content in serum and in homogenate of the left testes were determined respectively,morphological changes of the right testes were observed by light microscope with the paraffin section and the HE staining.Results The testes of some mice which were exposed to automobile exhaust were atrophy;The epididymal sperm concentration and epididymal sperm motility in exhaust-exposed groups for 60d and 90d were significantly lower than those in the control group;automobile exhaust decreased SOD activity and increased MDA content in serum for 30d,60d and 90d;SOD activity in the testes homogenate decreased and MDA content in the testes homogenate increased in exposed-groups for 60d and 90d comparing to control-groups;histopathological changes were observed in the some testes.Conclusion The automobile exhaust caused spermatogenic dysfunction in male mice,the oxidative damage may be one of the mechanisms.