Evaluation of reproductive parameters of male rats exposed to sodium arsenite: a juvenile toxicity study

Abstract

Arsenic (As) is a metalloid found in organic and inorganic form. The more toxic is the inorganic form. Contaminated water and agricultural products, as well as contaminated sea food, are the main prospectors of intoxication. Little is known about the consequences of arsenic intake in the diet on the male reproductive system in pre-pubertal period. This study will investigate whether exposure to inorganic arsenic during male prepubertal development interferes with morphometric parameters of reproductive organs, as well as the dynamics of the spermatogenic process and endocrine receptors distribution in the epididymis, which could characterize future impairment on production and maturation of male gametes. Wistar male rats (21 days old) will receive water and rodent chow ad libitum. They will be divided into 3 groups (n = 10 for each experimental group): negative control, which will receive vehicle only (saline), As 1 group, that will receive the metalloid at 0.01 mg /L and As 2 group, which will receive metalloid at 10 mg /L. Arsenic will be administered in drinking water and the consumption will be measured on alternate days. With the results obtained in this study will be possible to understand whether the two arsenic levels administered during this important period of animal's development interfere with the maturation of the reproductive organs, as well as its morphophysiology.