Effects of long-term exposure to manganese chloride on fertility of male and female mice

Abstract

The effect of long-term ingestion of manganese (II) chloride tetrahydrate was investigated on fertility of male and female Swiss mice. Adult male or female mice ingested a solution of manganese chloride along with drinking water at concentrations of 1000, 2000, 4000 and 8000 mg/l for 12 weeks. Fertility was significantly reduced in male mice exposed to manganese chloride solution at a concentration of 8000 mg/l, but not at the other concentrations. There were no treatment-related effects on the number of implantation sites, viable fetuses or the number of resorptions in female rats impregnated by males who had ingested manganese chloride. Fertility was not significantly reduced in female mice exposed to manganese chloride solution at all concentrations used in this study. However, the numbers of implantations and viable fetuses were significantly reduced in females exposed to manganese chloride solution at a concentration of 8000 mg/l. There was no significant effect on the number of resorbed fetuses in females exposed to manganese chloride solution compared to their control counterparts. Absolute body weight was not significantly affected in females exposed to manganese chloride solutions. However, ovarian weight was significantly increased in females exposed to manganese chloride solution at concentrations of 4000 and 8000 mg/l. A significant increase in the uterine weight was also observed at all concentrations used in the study. These results indicate that ingestion of manganese chloride by adult male and female mice causes some adverse effects on fertility and reproduction.