Sequelae in male rabbits following developmental exposure to p, p′-DDT or a mixture of p, p′-DDT and vinclozolin: Cryptorchidism, germ cell atypia, and sexual dysfunction

Abstract

Rabbit does (7–9 per group) were treated daily per orum from gestation day 15 through post-natal week 4 to provide per kg body wt 25 μmol (low) or 250 μmol (high) p, p′-DDT or a mixture of DDT and vinclozolin (12.5 and 125 μmol each). Developmental as well as post-pubertal reproductive sequelae of male progeny were studied. Testicular descent in some pups was impaired by DDT. Serum LH or testosterone was not affected. FSH was lower in mixture- but not in DDT-exposed rabbits. Lack of sexual interest, penile erection and ejaculation were observed in some mixture rabbits. Sperm counts were unaffected, but morphologically normal spermatozoa were fewer; nuclear and acrosomal morphogenesis was disrupted. Atypical germ cells resembling carcinoma in situ were found. Also considering data for vinclozolin [Veeramachaneni DNR, Palmer JS, Amann RP, Kane CM, Higuchi TT, Pau K-YF. Disruption of sexual function, FSH secretion, and spermiogenesis in rabbits following developmental exposure to vinclozolin, a fungicide. Reproduction 2006;131:805–16], we concluded that DDT causes cryptorchidism and germ cell atypia, vinclozolin permanently disrupts FSH secretion and sexual function, and the mixture causes the full spectrum of dysgenesis.