DES induced sperm destruction in Lakeview hamsters.

DES toxicity on sperm production after five consecutive sublethal i.p. injections of 8, 40 and 200 mg/kg was investigated in Lakeview hamsters. Testis weight, caudal sperm number, sperm morphology and body weight were monitored at week 1, 4 and 10 after treatment. DES doses of 8 mg/kg or above caused complete destruction of caudal sperm and reduced testes size to almost 10% of control within 10 weeks. Some sperm production resumed after the 8 mg/kg dose at the 10th week but more than half of these cells were abnormal in shape. Body weights remained almost stable for the first 4 weeks and then increased gradually by 25% at the 10th week.