The effects of lead on motility, viability and DNA denaturation of cauda epididymal spermatozoa of mouse

and Lead is one of the environmental contaminants. In this study we examined the effects of lead on motility, viability and DNA denaturation of mouse spermatozoa. The aim of the study was to find the effects of lead on the above parameters and to see whether these effects are reversible or not. Twenty four male mice were considered as case group and 24 mice as control group. The case group was injected by 200 mg/kg of lead acetate and control group was injected only by distilled water. Each group (case and control groups) was divided into three subgroups and the members of each subgroup were killed after 1, 2 and 3 weeks and their epididymides were removed. Motility, viability and DNA denaturation of caudal epididymal spermatozoa were examined in all groups. Data were analyzed using Mann-Witny U and Kruskal-Wallis tests Lead reduce the motility and viability of spermatozoa one week after the injection. These effects of lead were disappeared three weeks after injection. In contrast to the effect of lead on motility and viability, it did not affect on DNA denaturation. Contamination with lead can reduce motility and viability of sperms but these effects will be disappeared by time. Lead can not create any changes on DNA denaturation of spermatozoa.