A stereological and histopathological study of the effects of exposure of male rat testes to mercury vapor

Abstract

Mercury is ubiquitous in the environment; it is an occupational pollutant and a potential toxicant. We investigated the effects of exposure of rat testes to mercury vapor (Hg(0)). Twelve male rats were divided into two groups of six: the rats of the Hg(0) group were exposed to mercury (1 mg/m(3)/day) in a chamber for six weeks; the control group rats were housed under the same conditions without exposure to Hg(0). After the experimental period, the testes were removed, sections of testis were evaluated histopathologically after hematoxylin and eosin staining, and stereologically using the Cavalieri principle and optical fractionator methods. We found significant decreases in the total volume of testis, diameters of seminiferous tubules and total volume of seminiferous tubules. Significant decreases were detected in the numbers of Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids of the Hg(0) group compared to the control group. In the Hg(0) exposed group, spermatogenic cells were degenerated and seminiferous tubules were atrophied.

A study on the potential reprotoxic effects of thimerosal in male albino rats

“…The present study reports that thimerosal exposure resulted in a decreased number of germ cell population at various stages within experimental groups. The outcomes of our study are in line with Altunkaynak et al, 2015 who reported a decrease in primary, secondary spermatocytes and the number of spermatids after Hg exposure, which is an integral part of thimerosal. Penna et al (2009) has suggested that mercury damage to spermatogenesis.…”

The morphometrical and immunohistochemical investigation of the effect of topiramate on liver and the role of neuropeptide Y receptor in an obese female rat

“…The mean volume of sinusoids and livers was calculated using both the Cavalieri and the point-counting methods (25,26). The systematic randomly sampling technique was performed to obtain the accurate and valuable results.…”

A histopathological and stereological study of liver damage in female rats caused by mercury vapor

“…We divided the animals into control and experimental groups, each with six rats. The experimental group was exposed to 1 mg/m 3 /day mercury vapor by inhalation for 45 days within a special chamber as described in our earlier report (Altunkaynak et al 2015). The untreated controls were housed for 45 days in an identical chamber without exposure to Hg vapor.…”