Sexual maturation and fertility of male and female mice exposed prenatally and postnatally to trivalent and hexavalent chromium compounds

Abstract

The reproductive toxicity of trivalent and hexavalent chromium compounds wasinvestigated in male and female mice exposed to 1000 ppm chromium chloride andpotassium dichromate via their mother during gestational and lactationalperiods.Fertility was reduced in male offspring exposed to either trivalent orhexavalent chromium compounds. Body weights and weights of testes, seminalvesicles and preputial glands were reduced in trivalent-exposed maleoffspring.The exposure of female mice offspring to trivalent and hexavalent chromiumcompounds delayed sexual maturation. Fertility was reduced in female offspringexposed to either trivalent or hexavalent chromium compounds. The exposure offemale mice to hexavalent chromium compound reduced the number ofimplantations and viable fetuses respectively. Body weight and weights ofovaries and uteri were reduced in trivalent-exposed female offspring.The results indicate that under our experimental conditions, the exposure ofmale and female mice offspring to either trivalent or hexavalent chromiumcompounds during gestational and lactational periods impair reproductivefunctions and fertility in adulthood.