Effects of resin based dental composites on fertility of male mice

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of leached substances from dental composites on the fertility of male mice. Twenty adult male Swiss mice were divided into two groups of 10. Leached substances from composite specimens were administered, intragastrically, daily to the mice in the test group and distilled water to the control group for 28 d. Each mouse from both groups was mated with two untreated females. After mating, fertility of male mice in both groups was assessed. There was a significant reduction in the number of pregnancies in females mated with test males in comparison to those mated with control males (12/20 vs. 18/20, respectively). Females impregnated by test male mice showed a significant increase in the number of resorptions out of the total number of implantations (11% test vs. 1.5% control). The testicular sperm count and daily sperm production of the males in the test group was significantly reduced. Moreover, the relative weights of the testes and seminal vesicles were also significantly reduced in the test group. These results suggest that leached components from resin based dental composite materials have an adverse effect on the fertility and reproductive system of male mice.