Effect of in vitro exposure to lead chloride on semen quality and sperm DNA fragmentation. Issue 3 (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gomes, M.; Gonçalves, A.; Rocha, E.; Sá, R.; Alves, A.; Silva, J.; Barros, A.; Pereira, M.L.; Sousa, M.
• Is Part Of: Zygote. Volume 23:Issue 3(2015)
• Page Start: 384
• Page End: 393
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Developmental biology -- Periodicals; Embryology -- Periodicals; Zygotes -- Periodicals; Gametes -- Periodicals; 571.864
• DOI: 10.1017/S0967199413000671
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0967-1994

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title>Summary</title> <p>Exposure to lead may cause changes in the male reproductive system. We evaluated the effect of lead chloride (PbCl₂) <italic>in vitro</italic> on semen quality from 31 individuals. Samples were incubated at room temperature for two exposure times (4 h and 8 h) and with two concentrations of PbCl₂ (15 μg/ml or 30 μg/ml). Results showed that PbCl₂ significantly inhibited rapid progressive motility and caused an increase in the percentage of tail anomalies in both times and concentrations assessed, as well as a decrease in vitality in the group exposed to 30 μg/ml PbCl₂. A significant increase in immotile sperm was also observed between the group control and the groups submitted to lead. Total motility and DNA fragmentation also showed a significant decrease and increase, respectively, after 4 h of incubation in the group exposed to 30 μg/ml and in both groups after 8 h of incubation. In conclusion, PbCl₂ affected sperm parameters and DNA integrity, which are essential for male fertility.</p> </abstract>