Tritium toxicity in mouse testes: effect of fractionated dose during post-natal development
Bhatia, A.L.
Folia Biologica 28(2): 177-186
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0015-5497 PMID: 7428981 Document Number: 167714
Qualitative and quantitative effects of fractionated doses of tritium on testes of Swiss albino mice during post-natal development were studied. Testes were examined at the end of the 6th wk of post-natal life. Doses did not result in any major histopathological change except for a dose-dependent fibrosis in tunica albuginea and hyperemia. At a dose of 5.0 .mu.Ci, a few pyknotic nuclei and necrotic cells and exfoliation of the germ cells occurred. Different variations in germ cell population of seminiferous epithelium were seen. A dose of 1.25 .mu.Ci did not cause any statistically significant variation in number of different spermatogenic cells except for decreased pachytene in populations of spermatocytes and spermatids. Doses of 1.25 and 2.50 .mu.Ci raised the spermatogonial population above the norm (statistically non-significant). Primary spermatocytes showed a dose-dependent reduction in number. In all groups, the number of spermatids was reduced most. A dose of 5.0 .mu.Ci produced significant signs of degeneration and necrosis.