Transgenerational Genetic Effect of Trichloroethane (TCE) on Phenotypic Variation of Acrosomal Proteolytic Enzyme and Male Infertility Risk

Exposure to trichloroethane (TCE), a ambiguous environmental toxicant, has been negatively associated with male reproductive performance. The objective was to investigate, in-vivo, the mutagenic, carcinogenic or teratogenic effect of TCE maternal exposure on sperm quality and testicular cytoarchitecture of F1 generation of mice. A motile sperm separation technique was used to estimate sperm motility and a gelatin slide technique was used to measure the number of the halo around the acrosome of individual sperm as an acrosomal proteolytic enzyme (APA). Animals were followed up for signs of toxicity and mortality. Alterations in testicular tissues have been histopathology investigated. No adverse signs, symptoms and mortality were observed in the animals treated with TCE. Moreover, significant changes were seen in body and testis weight. Results of semen analysis revealed that TCE lead to low sperm count, abnormal sperm morphology, and frequently of sperm motility. These results were correlated with decrease in APA when pre-leptotene or spermatogonial cells were tested, indicating a transgenerational toxic effects. Histopathological examination revealed that TCE insult marked alterations in the microstructures of testicular tissues appeared as severe morphological abnormal spermatozoa and vacuoles. Taken together, these results suggest that early exposure to TCE causes testicular toxicity and poor semen quality. The sperm phenotypes utilized in this study may increase the value of sperm for detection mutagenic developmentally active agents, and agent with anti-fertility effects in mammals. This in-vivo animal model represents a unique platform for assessing human reproductive toxicity potential and genetic risk of various environmental mutagens, carcinogens and teratogens in a rapid, efficient, and unbiased format.