Abnormal spermiogenesis in hybrid mice (C57BL X C3H)F1 treated with the mutagen ethyl methane sulphonate

Abstract

Ethyl methane sulphonate is an agent that produces a notable elevation in the percentage of morphologically abnormal spermatozooids. Inducement of minimal defects of the hook, bicephalic, biflagellated and amorphous forms and filamentous spermatozzoids have been described. The cytotoxic effect of the drug is manifested by death of primary spermatocytes, which is associated to the low number of epididlmary spermatozooids. The mechanisms that produce teratospermia have not been previously studied exhaustively.Hybrid mice of genotype (C57BL X C3H)F1 of 8 to 12 weeks of age were treated intraperitoneal ly with EMS at a dose of 200 mg/Kg for five consecutive days and killed four weeks later by cervical dislocation. The testicular tissue was fixed by inmersion in 6.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.2 M phosphate buffered saline at pH 7.3 and 4°C, and was included in epoxyresine. Fine sections were stained in leal citrate and uranyl acetate, and were observed in Zeiss EM109 electron microscope.