Effects of Experimental Lead Exposure on Testis of the Chestnut Capped Blackbird Chrysomus ruficapillus

Abstract

Lead (Pb) effects on testis histology, as well as sperm quality and oxidative status were evaluated in male Chestnut Capped Blackbird (Chrysomus ruficapillus). Wild blackbirds were captured, immediately sampled (field group) or kept in captivity and treated with a single intraperitoneal injection of saline solution (control) or saline solution with Pb acetate (50 or 100 mg/kg Pb). Seven days after injection, whole blood, ductus deferens and testis samples were collected. Increased Pb concentrations were observed in whole blood and testis of Pb-exposed blackbirds with respect to those from field and control blackbirds. Sperm cells of Pb-exposed blackbirds showed loss of membrane integrity, mitochondrial functionality, and DNA integrity. Also, oxidative damage was observed in testis of blackbirds injected with 100 mg/kg Pb. These findings indicate that Pb is accumulated in testis of C. ruficapillus, inducing severe morphological and biochemical injury that can compromise the reproductive performance of male blackbirds. Although the exposure scenario (Pb acetate, high dosage and intraperitoneal injection) tested in the present study would likely not occur in the wild, it was adequate to show potential and relevant toxic effects of Pb in wild birds.

Impact of Cadmium and Lead Exposure on Camel Testicular Function: Environmental Contamination and Reproductive Health

“…Even though Pb is slowly eliminated from the body, prolonged exposure can harm numerous organs, including the testicles [31]. Studies have revealed that Pb exposure can result in impaired function of the testicles and semen quality in male animals because the testes are particularly susceptible to Pb toxicity [32,33].…”

Optimal analysis conditions for sperm motility parameters with a CASA system in a passerine bird, Passer montanus

“…Yet there has been a long-term interest in sperm motion characteristics of passerine birds, because faster sperm are presumed to outcompete rival sperms in the "race" to the ovum and more ejaculated motile sperm are likely to increase the odds of sperm from a certain male fertilizing the ovum. In addition, some passerine sperm motility parameters can also be used as indicators of the impact of pollutants in a wide range of species (Møller et al 2008(Møller et al , 2014Leidens et al 2018).…”