toxic effects of monomeric acrylamide on the testis of male albino rats, histological and ultrastructural study

ABSTRACT

Acrylamide [AA] is a reactive vinyl monomer used world wide to synthesize polyacrylamide [PAA] products. Although modern industrial techniques, designed to limit levels of monomeric AA in PAA, have resulted in decreased number of cases of AA acute toxicity, recent findings of moderate levels of AA in heated protein-rich foods and higher contents in carbohydrate-rich foods, have refocused worldwide attention on the health hazards of AA. this study was carried out to evaluate the toxic effects of acute and prolonged repeated monomeric AA exposure on the structure of the testis of albino rats and its potential reversibility. this study was conducted on 40 adult male albino rats weighing from 150-200 gm each. Animals were divided into three groups Group I 8 rats served as a control group. Group II [16 rats] received one single dose of AA [25 mg/ kg bw] dissolved in water orally through gastric gavage. Group III [16 rats] received AA dissolved in water in a dose of 20pg/ kg bw daily administered through gastric gavage for three months. All groups were subdivided into 2 subgroups Subgroup [a] were sacrificed one week after the end of exposure, Subgroup [b] were sacrificed six weeks after the end of exposure. examination of testis of rats receiving one single toxic dose of AA and sacrificed after one week revealed moderate degenerative changes in spermatogenic cells with spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa being the most vulnerable. Spermatogonia and Sertoli cells were resistant and showed mild affection. Leydig cells were nearly not affected. Rat testis of this group examined after six weeks withdrawal revealed considerable improvement in testicular tissue. More seriously was the prolonged very low dosage of AA [subgroup IIIa]. This caused severe and persistent damage affecting most somniferous tubules and interstitial Leydig cells. Nearly all spermatogenic cells spermatogonia and Sertoli cells were severely damaged. These changes were persistent even after six weeks withdrawal, This was attributed to the damaging effect on testicular stem cells, nursing Sertoli cells and the hormone secreting Leydig cells. Serious attention and close supervision must be paid towards exposure and especially of children to chronic acrylamide toxicity due to increasing population trends for consumption of fried potatoes, fried chicken, hamburgers and other forms of junk foods that proved to contain considerable amounts of acrylamide