Sperm motility and morphology changes in rats exposed to cadmium and diazinon

Abstract

BackgroundHumans are ubiquitously exposed to multiple environmental contaminants. Consequences of combined action on the reproductive system remain unknown. This study aimed to assess single and joint effects of cadmium and diazinon exposure on sperm quality parameters.MethodsMale adult Wistar rats were randomized into 4 groups of ten animals each. Group A was used as a control, animals from group B were exposed to cadmium (30 mg/L), rats from group C were administered with diazinon (40 mg/L), and rats from group D were exposed simultaneously to cadmium (30 mg/L) and diazinon (40 mg/L) via drinking water for 90 days. Sperm morphology and motility were evaluated using a bright field microscope and a computer-assisted semen analysis.ResultsThe percentage of motile spermatozoa and morphologically normal sperm was markedly reduced in rats from the group B. Rats from the C group showed an increase in velocity parameters, amplitude of lateral head displacement, decrease in beat-cross frequency, and an increase in abnormal sperm morphology. Simultaneous coexposure to cadmium and diazinon increased distance and velocity parameters, and amplitude of lateral head displacement. Reductions were observed in straightness, linearity, wobble, and beat-cross frequency. The decreased normal sperm morphology rates were related to defects of the sperm tail.ConclusionsExposure to cadmium and diazinon at relatively low doses impairs sperm quality and can reduce male fertility. Cadmium and diazinon caused significant changes on sperm morphology with varying effects on motility patterns. These parameters were significantly higher in the group D as compared to the group C. The findings have important implications for reproductive risk assessment of combined exposures to multiple chemicals.

Cadmium‐induced toxicity increases prolyl endopeptidase (PREP) expression in the rat testis

“…The increased expression of PREP in the testicle of adult rats following the maternal exposure to Cd during the gestation and lactation could be a sort of defense mechanism against its toxicity. In fact, in this way the cells try to limit the damage induced by the Cd, avoiding that Ca 2+ can accumulate in the cytoplasm and disrupt the normal cellular physiology, in particular the mitochondrial one, which could lead to an increased apoptosis (Adiele, Stevens, & Kamunde, 2012) and, ultimately, to altered SCZ parameters (Adamkovicova et al, 2016).…”

Ameliorative effects of Saussurea lappa root aqueous extract against Ethephon‐induced reproductive toxicity in male rats

“…Left caudal part of the epididymis were carefully separated from each testicle, finely minced in 5 mL of Hanks'‐buffered salt solution and incubated at room temperature for 15 minutes to allow the migration of all spermatozoa from epidydimal tissue to fluid. To determine sperm numbers, spermatozoa motility parameters, and sperm morphology, computer‐assisted semen analysis system (CASA System; MiniTüb, Germany) with Olympus microscope (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) was used according to Reference .…”

Time and Dose-Dependent Effects of Viscum Album Quercus on Rabbit Spermatozoa Motility and Viability in Vitro

“…At least 1000 spermatozoa were analyzed in each sample , Halo et al 2018). Using the rabbit specific set up the following parameters have been evaluated -total motility (MOT, %), progressive motility (PRO, %), distance average path (DAP, µm), distance curved line (DCL, µm), distance straight line (DSL, µm), average path velocity (VAP, µm/s), velocity curved line (VCL, µm/s), velocity straight line (VSL, µm/s), straightness (STR), linearity (LIN), wobble (WOB), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH, µm) and beat-cross frequency (BCF, Hz) as described previously (Roychoudhury et al 2010Adamkovicova et al 2016.…”