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Effects of aflatoxin B1 on the growth processes of spermatogenic cell series in adult male rats

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Abstract

Dietary aflatoxins produce a disease state known as aflatoxicosis and disturbance of spermatogenesis is one of its serious outcomes. In this study, we evaluated the chronic effects of oral administration of aflatoxin B1 on spermatogenic cell series in adult Wistar male rats. Twenty-eight adult Wistar male rats were selected and allocated into four groups. The control group was administered sterile distilled water and the test groups; T1, T2, T3 received 0.8, 1.6, 3.2 ppm/1 cc distilled water/animal/day, respectively, for 48 days by gavage. The population of spermatogonia types A, B, and spermatozoa were significantly decreased in all test groups (p < 0.001), but primary spermatocytes and spermatids showed a significant decrease (p < 0.01) only in group T3. We conclude that the oral administration of aflatoxin B1 can decrease spermatogenic cells in a dose-dependent mode.

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Acknowledgments

Financial assistance received from Urmia University Grants Commission, Technical supports provided by Central Laboratory of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Technicians Mr. Ali Karimi and Mr. Farhad Farhangpajouh are gratefully acknowledged.

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  1. Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, Histology and Embryology Sections, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

    Shapour Hasanzadeh & Leila Rezazadeh

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  1. Shapour Hasanzadeh
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Correspondence to Shapour Hasanzadeh.

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Hasanzadeh, S., Rezazadeh, L. Effects of aflatoxin B1 on the growth processes of spermatogenic cell series in adult male rats. Comp Clin Pathol 22, 555–562 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-012-1445-2

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