Induction of morphologically abnormal sperm in rats exposed to O-Xylene.

Abstract

An analysis of sperm abnormalities can be used as a rapid method to determine the mutagenic potential of chemical agents as well as the toxic potential of chemicals on the whole animal. O-Xylene was investigated for its potential mutagenicity by the sperm abnormality assay. Sprague Dawley rats 10-16 weeks old were injected intraperitoneally (ip) with 0.5 and 1.5 ml/kg body weight of o-xylene in corn oil. Five weeks after treatment, animals were sacrificed and sperm examined for morphological abnormalities. Several morphologically abnormal sperm types were observed; among these were those with amorphous heads, and banana-like heads. Animals housed at room temperatures of 20-24 degrees C showed no significant increase in abnormal sperm over the control. Rats housed at temperatures between 24 and 30 degrees C after ip injection with 0.5 ml/kg o-xylene showed a significant increase in abnormal sperm.

• Authors: W J Washington, R C Murthy, A Doye, K Eugene, D Brown, I Bradley
• Journal: Archives of andrology (Arch Androl) Vol. 11 Issue 3 Pg. 233-7 (Dec 1983) ISSN: 0148-5016 [Print] England
• PMID: 6660973 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Mutagens
• Xylenes
• 2-xylene

Topics

• Animals
• Kinetics
• Male
• Mutagens
• Rats
• Rats, Inbred Strains
• Spermatozoa (abnormalities, drug effects)
• Temperature
• Xylenes (toxicity)