Flow cytometry evaluation of lead and cadmium effects on mouse spermatogenesis

• Published in: Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2006-10, Vol.22 (3), p.529-535
• Main Authors: Oliveira, Helena, Loureiro, João, Filipe, Luísa, Santos, Conceição, Ramalho-Santos, João, Sousa, Mário, Pereira, Maria de Lourdes
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Cadmium chloride; Cadmium Chloride - toxicity; Cell Cycle - drug effects; Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology; Flow cytometry; Flow Cytometry - methods; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Lead - toxicity; Lead chloride; Male; Medical sciences; Metals and various inorganic compounds; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Paraffin Embedding; Ploidies; Reproducibility of Results; Spermatogenesis; Spermatogenesis - drug effects; Teratology. Teratogens; Testicular toxicity; Testis - drug effects; Testis - pathology; Toxicology
• ISSN: 0890-6238; 1873-1708
• DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2006.03.009

Flow cytometry (FCM) is a powerful tool to evaluate cell DNA content and ploidy levels. We have assessed the accuracy of two protocols of nuclei isolation from paraffinized samples (P1 and P2) by comparing FCM results with those obtained using fresh material (F1–F3). After isolation, nuclei were stained with propidium iodide and quantitatively analysed by FCM for changes in germ cell ratios. Results obtained with Protocol P2 were similar to those obtained using the protocol that gave best results for fresh tissues (F2). Protocol P2 was then applied to paraffin embedded testicular samples from ICR-CD1 mice exposed to 1, 2 and 3 mg CdCl 2/kg bw by single subcutaneous injection, and to 74 and 100 mg PbCl 2/kg bw administered in four repeated doses. The highest doses of CdCl 2 decreased the number of haploid (1C) cells and increased the number of diploid (2C), S phase and tetraploid (4C) cells. Treatment with PbCl 2 did not induce significant changes in testicular cells subpopulations. These results support the usefulness of FCM in evaluating the effect of toxic substances on mouse spermatogenesis, using both fresh and paraffinized material.