Effects of inorganic mercury on reproductive performance of mice

Khan, Abu T.; Atkinson, Alfonza; Graham, Thomas C.; Thompson, S. J.; Ali, Sara E.; Shireen, Kaniz F.

doi:10.1016/j.fct.2003.10.018

Cited by 50 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…On the other hand, no effect was seen on ovulation, implantation, or maintenance of first pregnancy which might be due to the short duration of exposure. In contrast to the findings of Davis et al [48], Khan et al [49] revealed that though oral exposure to 0.25-1.00 mg/kg/ day of mercuric chloride produced an adverse effects on the reproductive performance of mice, mercury was undetecable in the ovaries and other body tissues such as livers, brain, and uteri. Shen et al [47] studied the effects of oral intake of mercuric chloride using in vitro culture and in vitro fertilization (IVF) of mouse oocytes.…”

Section: Mean Mercury Content (Ng/g) In Ovary Tissuesmentioning

confidence: 91%

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Accumulation of Mercury in Ovaries of Mice After the Application of Skin-lightening Creams

Al‐Saleh

Shinwari

Al-Amodi

2009

Biol Trace Elem Res

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Skin-lightening creams are being increasingly used by women in particular, worldwide in an attempt to whiten their skin. Men and older people use these creams to remove age spots or other pigmentation disorders. Several studies have reported the presence of high mercury levels in skin-lightening cream. Women, especially pregnant and nursing mothers, who use these creams are at risk of mercury toxicity because long-term exposure can cause permanent neurological damage, nephrological disorders, fertility problems, and birth defects. Early exposure usually has no clinical symptoms. Mercury levels were measured in a total of 49 ovary tissue samples. The mean mercury contents in the ovaries of non-treated mice (11.70 +/- 13.38 ng/g) were compared to mice treated with Rose skin-lightening cream samples (2,471.92 +/- 1,336.31 ng/g) and those treated with Fair & Lovely skin-lightening creams (58.47 +/- 39.51 ng/g). The mercury content in the ovary tissues increased with number of cream applications and were highest in the ovaries of mice treated twice a day with Fair & Lovely (87.79 +/- 26.20 ng/g) and once a day with Rose (3,515.61 +/- 1,099.78 ng/g). Our data indicate that dermal exposure to mercury can result in a significant accumulation in the ovaries of mice following the application of skin-lightening cream. This may cause alterations in reproductive behavior and contribute to infertility or ovarian failure. Of course, these results need to be confirmed by further research. Imported or locally made skin-lightening creams are widely available in Saudi market. It would be ideal to ban the sale of these creams but unfortunately, advertisements in the mass media presenting celebrities and beauty specialists make these products more popular. Alternatively, public health authorities should encourage more reliance on prescribed creams for the treatment of skin pigmentation problems.

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Section: Mean Mercury Content (Ng/g) In Ovary Tissuesmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…Studies on the reproductive toxicity of mercury following oral or vapor exposure are still limited [47][48][49]. One study reported the effect of mercury on the reproductive system following dermal exposure [50].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Accumulation of Mercury in Ovaries of Mice After the Application of Skin-lightening Creams

Al‐Saleh

Shinwari

Al-Amodi

2009

Biol Trace Elem Res

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“…Inorganic mercury, as mercuric chloride (HgCl 2 ) used in the present study, is a well-known heavy toxic metal that produces various types of tissue damage including testicular dysfunction. Published studies reported that mercury can affect testicular spermatogenic and steroidogenic functions in experimental animals and men [4], impair fertility [5], deteriorate semen quality [6], cause testicular degeneration [7], and reproductive failure [8]. Oxidative stress is also associated with reproductive impairment [9,10], and mercury intoxication is associated with induction of oxidative stress [11,12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impairment of Spermatogenesis in Rats by Mercuric Chloride: Involvement of Low 17β-Estradiol Level in Induction of Acute Oxidative Stress

Boujbiha

Hamden

Guermazi

et al. 2010

Biol Trace Elem Res

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Mercuric chloride (HgCl(2)) has been shown to affect the male reproductive organs, and oxidative stress has been linked with hypospermatogenesis and with male infertility. However, the specific mode of impairment of spermatogenesis during HgCl(2) exposure has not yet been clarified fully. Because of the involvement of 17β-estradiol (E2) in the male reproductive tract and its putative role on spermatogenesis, the present study aimed to investigate the possibility that HgCl(2)-induced oxidative stress-mediated modulation of the E2 level exerts adverse effects on testicular steroidogenic and gametogenic activities. HgCl(2) treatment at 50 and 100 ppm for 90 days by continuous oral administration in the drink water resulted in significant dose-dependent fashion decrease in serum and testicular E(2) levels and an increase in testicular testosterone levels in dose-dependent manner, without statistical alteration in serum testosterone level among HgCl(2) exposed groups compared to the control. Cauda epididymal sperm count and motility were decreased significantly (p < 0.01), in a dose-dependent manner, in the HgCl(2)-treated groups, and qualitative examination revealed inhibition of spermatogenesis and the preferential loss of maturing and elongated spermatids. The seminiferous tubules were dilated in treated animals. When compared to the control, increase in lipid peroxidation due to toxic effects of HgCl2 was accompanied by significant reduction (p < 0.01) in antioxidant enzymes activities, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase of testes, implicating the presence of oxidative tissue damage. Furthermore, these tissue injuries caused functional impairment as evidenced with testicular elevated activity of lactate dehydrogenase. Unless oxidative stress can lead to cancer development, testis' tumor markers as beta human chorionic gonadotropin and alpha-fetoprotein levels have shown no significant differences in the HgCl(2)-exposed group compared with respect to the control. Large quantities of metal accumulated in the testis tissue are in agreement with the testis-activity failure verified in this tissue. These findings suggest that a decrease in E2 level after mercury exposure may render testis more susceptible to oxidative damage leading to its functional inactivation, thus providing new dimension to mechanisms underlying heavy metal-induced male infertility.

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“…Lipid peroxidation assay of the liver and brain of the maternal mice and their fetuses were done following the procedure of Ohkawa et al (1979) [16] with certain modifications. Liver and brain samples were isolated and processed rapidly after sacrifice at GD 19.…”

Section: Tbars Assay For Lipid Peroxidationmentioning

confidence: 99%

RETRACTED: Effects of <i>Annona squamosa</i> Seed Extract on <i>Mus musculus</i> Exposed to Mercuric Chloride: Evaluations of Metal-Induced Oxidative Stress and Its Developmental Outcomes

Zhang¹,

Zeng²,

Yang³

et al. 2015

AJPS

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Effects of inorganic mercury on reproductive performance of mice

Cited by 50 publications

References 19 publications

Accumulation of Mercury in Ovaries of Mice After the Application of Skin-lightening Creams

Accumulation of Mercury in Ovaries of Mice After the Application of Skin-lightening Creams

Impairment of Spermatogenesis in Rats by Mercuric Chloride: Involvement of Low 17β-Estradiol Level in Induction of Acute Oxidative Stress

RETRACTED: Effects of <i>Annona squamosa</i> Seed Extract on <i>Mus musculus</i> Exposed to Mercuric Chloride: Evaluations of Metal-Induced Oxidative Stress and Its Developmental Outcomes

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Effects of inorganic mercury on reproductive performance of mice

Cited by 50 publications

References 19 publications

Accumulation of Mercury in Ovaries of Mice After the Application of Skin-lightening Creams

Accumulation of Mercury in Ovaries of Mice After the Application of Skin-lightening Creams

Impairment of Spermatogenesis in Rats by Mercuric Chloride: Involvement of Low 17β-Estradiol Level in Induction of Acute Oxidative Stress

RETRACTED: Effects of &lt;i&gt;Annona squamosa&lt;/i&gt; Seed Extract on &lt;i&gt;Mus musculus&lt;/i&gt; Exposed to Mercuric Chloride: Evaluations of Metal-Induced Oxidative Stress and Its Developmental Outcomes

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RETRACTED: Effects of <i>Annona squamosa</i> Seed Extract on <i>Mus musculus</i> Exposed to Mercuric Chloride: Evaluations of Metal-Induced Oxidative Stress and Its Developmental Outcomes