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Effect of overdose zinc on mouse testis and its relation with sperm count and motility

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of excessive zinc intake on the testes and on sperm count and motility in mice. Thirty Balb c mice were divided randomly into 3 groups of 10 animals in each. Group I acted as controls; group II was supplied with drinking water containing 1.5 g/100 mL Zn, and group III was supplied with drinking water containing 2.5 g/100 mL Zn. The animals were sacrificed after 3 wk supplementation and the epididymis and testis were quickly excised. A negative correlation between Zn dose and sperm count and motility was found. The sperm count in group III was significantly lower than in groups II and I (p<0.05). The sperm motility in group III was significantly lower than in the controls (p<0.05). Degenerative changes, including spermatic arrest, degeneration of seminiferous tubules, and fibrosis in interstitial tissue, were observed in group III animals. These results show that high doses of zinc significantly alter sperm motility.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, 2020, Kinikli, Denizli, Turkey

    Güfer Turgut & Sabahat Turgut

  2. Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, 2020, Kinikli, Denizli, Turkey

    Gücin Abban

  3. Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Baskent University, Bagcali, Ankara, Turkey

    Günur Take

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  1. Güfer Turgut
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  2. Gücin Abban
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  3. Sabahat Turgut
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  4. Günur Take
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Turgut, G., Abban, G., Turgut, S. et al. Effect of overdose zinc on mouse testis and its relation with sperm count and motility. Biol Trace Elem Res 96, 271–279 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1385/BTER:96:1-3:271

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/BTER:96:1-3:271

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