Effect of exposure to low-dose tributyltin chloride on serum testosterone levels in mice.

Objective To explore the effects of exposure to low dose tributyltin chloride(TBTCl) on serum testosterone(T) levels in mice.Methods Thirty-six SPF male KM mice aged 21 days were randomly divided into 3 groups by body weight,12 in each,and treated with TBTCl at the doses of 0.5,0.05 mg/kg or vehicle(corn oil) by intraperitoneal injection,every 3 days from postnatal days(PNDs) 24 to 45.The age of mice was recorded on the day that preputial separation was achieved during exposure period.The mice were kept until PND 56,whose serum T levels were detected on PNDs 49 and 56.The organ weights were measured and counted corresponding organ index on PND 56.Results The difference among all the groups was not significant on body gain,organ weights(liver,kidney,thymus,spleen,testes,and epididymis) and their organ index,and the age of preputial separation.Serum T levels significantly decreased at PND 49 in 0.5 mg/kg TBTCl group compared with the control(P0.01),and then followed by an obvious recovery at PND 56.Conclusion Exposure to non-toxic dose of TBTCl may reduce serum T levels of KM mice,however,this inhibitory effect is reversible.