Ultrastructural abnormalities in the germinal epithelium of adult quail testes following insecticide chlordecone exposure

Abstract

Sexually mature male Japanese quail were treated with either 40.0 μg estradiol-17b injected intraperitoneally or 10 ppm, 40 ppm, 80 ppm, 160 ppm, or 200 ppm chlordecone (Kepone) administered in feed for 60 days. Animals were sacrificed on days 10, 30, and 60 and the germinal epithelium was measured morphometrically and examined with transmission electron microscopy. Estradiol had a minimal effect on testicular morphology whereas there was a dose- and time-dependent reduction in germinal epithelium height in all birds following 60 days of chlordecone exposure. Exposure of quail to higher chlordecone doses (80, 160 and 200 ppm) for 30 or 60 days did not alter the ultrastructure of spermatogenic and Sertoli cells in the basal compartments; however, numerous maturing spermatid clumps located in the adluminal compartments of the germinal epithelium exhibited increased vacuolation, cytoplasmic degeneration and desquamation. Since some of the abnormal spermatids were closely associated with Sertoli cells, the possible role of Sertoli cells during pesticide exposure is discussed.