In vitro toxicity of mercuric chloride on rabbit spermatozoa motility and cell membrane integrity

In this in vitro study the effects of mercuric chloride on the motility and structural integrity of rabbit spermatozoa were investigated. The spermatozoa motility was evaluated using CASA method and Annexin analysis was used for detection of structural changes. The concentration of mercury in the medium varied from 5.0 to 83.3 μ g HgCl2/mL. At Time 0 the highest motility was detected in the control group (67.09 ± 8.72%). Motility in groups with mercury administration was lower in comparison with control. Significant differences were detected in groups with 50.0–83.3 μ g HgCl2/mL (P < 0.001) at Time 0. After 60 and 120 minutes of incubation with mercuric chloride the motility significantly decreased almost in all experimental groups. Progressive motility had a decreasing trend in all experimental groups. At time 60 and 120 significant differences were noted in the group receiving 6.25–83.3 μ g HgCl2/mL. Significant differences were detected in all experimental groups, except the group with the lowest mercu...