Transplacental and Lactational Exposure of Mice to Arsenic: Effect on Body and Organ Weights with Special Reference to Male Reproductive Organs

3 Abstract: Sodium arsenite was orally administered to mice during pregnancy and lactation at a dose level of 0.4 ppm and body weights and organ weights with special focus to reproductive organs in next generation adult male mice were analyzed. The body weight and weight gain of control and experimental pups did not differ significantly. However, the weights of testes, prostate and seminal vesicle decreased in experimental mice when compared with controls. Histology of testes indicated decrease in primary and secondary spermatocytes and spermatids in experimental mice when compared with control. These results indicated that exposure to arsenic during early stages of development suppresses the development of male reproductive organs in adults. Thus, it was conclude that the potential of reproduction is programmed, to some extent, in the early stages of development and hence any toxic insult during embryonic development and lactation suppresses male reproductive potential in adulthood.