The mammalian testis accumulates lower levels of organochlorine chemicals compared with other tissues

Tissues were obtained from three separate experiments in order to quantify the tissue distribution of organochlorine chemicals that are thought to be potential reproductive toxicants in males: 1) Sprague Dawley rats received 1 mu Ci of C-14-Aldrin or C-14-Dieldrin (20.6 mu Ci/mu mole) i.p. once a week for three: weeks. One week and four weeks after the last injection. tissues were harvested and stored at -80 degreesC. Tissue C-14 levels were quantified by scintillation spectrometry. 2) Cis- or trans-nonachlor (0, 0.25. 2.5, 25 mg/kg body weight) were administered daily in corn oil to male rats by,gavage fo 28 days. Tissues were harvested and frozen at -80 degreesC on the 29th day. Organochlorine residues were extracted and quantified by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. 3) Technical grade toxaphene (0, 0.1, 0.4 or 0.8 mg/kg body weight) was ingested daily by female cynomolgus monkeys of reproductive age for 18 months prior to being mated with control males. Dosing continued during pregnancy and lactation. Their infants received toxaphene via breast milk. and upon weaning, they ingested the same dose as their mothers for 48 to 49 weeks until, at 77 to 80 weeks of age, tissues were harvested and stored at -80 degreesC. Organochlorine residues were extracted and quantified as previously stated. in all three experiments, organochlorine residues in the testis were lower than in most of the: other reproductive tract and nonreproductive tract tissues we examined. For example, testicular aldrin and dieldrin levels were <5% the epididymal content: testicular cis- and trans-nonachlor were < 25% the epididymal content and, testicular toxaphene levels were < 15% of the epididymal content. The reasons for the low degree of accumulation by the testis in comparison with other tissues are unknown. However. the lower testicular content may afford germ cells some protection from the potentially toxic effects of there chemicals. (C) 2001 Elsevier science Inc. All rights reserved.